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DOBELL COLLECTION 






MISS GWILT: 



A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS 



(ALTERED FROM THE NOVEL OF "ARMADALE.") 



BY 



WILKIE COLLINS. 

(Printed for performance in the theatre only. Not published.) 

1875. 






205449 
i? 13 



LONDON : 

PRINTED BY HANKEN AND CO., DRURY HOUSE, 

ST. MARY-T.E-STRAND, W.C. 



PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. 



Allan Armadale. 

Midwinter. 

Major Milroy. 

Doctor Downward. 

Captain Manuel. 

Mr. Darch. 

Abraham Sage. 

Francis. 

A Tradesman's Lad. 

The Mayor and Corporation of Thorpe- 
Ambrose, Servants, Policemen in Plain 
Clothes. 



Miss Gwilt. 
Miss Milroy. 
Louisa. 



Note.— The stage directions, "Right' and 
"Left," refer to the right and left of the actor as 
he fronts the audience. 



MISS GWILT 



ACT I. — The Governess. 

Scene. — The Park at Thorpe- Ambrose. On the actor's right the 
paling and garden gate leading to Major Milroy's cottage. 
Entrances to the stage through the trees at the bach and by a 
shrubbery path on the actor s left. Garden seats placed here and 
there among the trees. Major Milroy and Miss Milroy 
are discovered seated at a rustic table. Miss M. is making a 
nosegay. The Major has a newspaper in his hand. He is 
absorbed over his reading, and is perpetually interrupted by 
.questions from his daughter. 

miss M. 
Papa ! has anybody answered your advertisement for a 
governess for me ? 

MAJOR M. 

My dear, I told you this morning that a governess had 
answered the advertisement. 

miss m. 
Has she given you a good reference ? 

MAJOR m. 

An excellent reference. 

MISS M. 

What is her name ? 

MAJOR M. 

Miss Gwilt. 

MISS M. 

I don't like her name, to begin with. Is she an old 
woman ? 

MAJOR M. 

No. 

MISS M. 

Is she a young woman? 



6 MISS GWILT. 

MAJOR M. 

Yes. 

MISS M. 

Where did she live last ? 

MAJOR M. 

Bless my soul ! what a number of questions ! Are you to 
manage this matter ? or am I ? 

MISS M. 

I had rather we neither of us managed it. The fact is, papa, 
I don't want a governess at all. 

MAJOR M. 

Then you must go to school. 

MISS M. 

I don't want to go to school either. 

MAJOR M. 

My dear ! pray be reasonable, if it is only for a minute ! 
You know that I am not a rich man. The one thing I can give 
you is a good education. Choose for yourself, between an 
education at home and an education at school. 

MISS M. 

Choose ? Do you suppose that I could be happy for a 
moment out of my own dear little room at the cottage ? 

MAJOR M. 

In other words, you choose the governess — and there is an 
end of the matter. As for your little room at the cottage, my 
dear, I only hope it may not be some other young lady's little 
room before long. 

MISS M. 

What do you mean ? 

MAJOR M. 

Our cottage belongs to the owner of the Thorpe-Ambrose 
estate, and our lease expires next month. 

MISS M. 

Well ? 

MAJOR M. 

Well, the death of our old landlord, Mr. Blanchard, has 
transferred the Thorpe-Ambrose estates into the hands of a 
stranger, (Mr. Darch appears at the back.) And that stranger 
may not choose to renew our lease. 

MR. D. {advancing). 
Make your mind easy, Major. I answer for his renewing 
your lease. 



MISS GWILT. 7 

MAJOR M. 

You, Mr. Darch ! Why, I thought you were entirely unac- 
quainted with our new landlord, like all the rest of us ? 

MR. D. 

I have been in correspondence with him, Major. It was my 
business to inform the new heir, Mr. Allan Armadale, of the 
inheritance to which he has succeeded. He has appointed me 
his lawyer, and, take my word for it, he will renew your 
lease, 

miss M. 

Is our new landlord a young man, Mr. Darch ? 

MR. D. 

A very young man, Miss Milroy, 

MISS M. 

Handsome and agreeable, Mr. Darch ? 

MR. D. 

I must leave you to judge for yourself, Miss Milroy. I have 
not seen him. 

major m. {to Mr. Darch). 

One word on the subject of our late landlord. All we have 
heard here is that Mr. Blanchard died unexpectedly in London. 
Do you know how it happened ? 

MR. D. 

It happened in this way. Mr. Blanchard was in London on 
business, and was a passenger on board one of the river 

steamers 

major M. {interrupting him). 

Drowned ? 

MR. D. 

On the contrary, he was the means of saving a person who 
might have been drowned but for him. A woman among the 
passengers threw herself overboard. (Major Milroy and 
Miss Milroy both start.) Mr. Blanchard jumped into the river 
and rescued her. They were both brought on shore safely to 
the nearest police station* The woman soon recovered her 
senses, thanks to the readiness of a young man who witnessed 
the accident and who ran for the nearest doctor. 

MISS M. 

Was the young man Mr. Armadale ? 

MR. D. 

Certainly not. The young man's name was reported to be 
Midwinter. 

MISS M. 

Midwinter ? What an extraordinary name ! 



8 



MISS GWILT. 



major M. {interposing). 
My dear! we have still to hear about Mr. Blanchard's 
death. 

MR. D. 

Mr. Blanchard might have been alive at this moment if he 
had been wise enough to get into a warm bath and send for dry 
clothes. The medical man who had been called in — a certain 
Dr. Downward — gave him that advice. Mr. Blanchard laughed 
at Dr. Downward — and went home in a cab. The next day he 
was too ill to attend the examination before the magistrates. A 
fortnight afterwards he was a dead man. 

MAJOR M. 

Is it known who the woman was ? 

MR. D. 

Nobody knows who she was. The name she gave at the 
examination was evidently assumed. 

MAJOR M. 

And this attempted suicide, on the part of a perfect 
stranger ? 

MR. D. 

Has made Mr. Armadale (through his mother) possessor of 
the Thorpe-Ambrose estates. 

Enter Dr. Downward. His grey hair is parted in the middle, and 
falls to his shoulders. He wears a large " turn-down collar" 
a long, black /rock- coat, and a broad-brimmed hat. His whole 
exterior announces an assumption of patriarchal simplicity. His 
manner is smoothly benevolent. He looks at everybodg with the 
same bland smile. 

dr. D. {addressing a servant who accompanies him). 
Is that Major Milroy's residence ? 

THE SERVANT. 

There is the Major himself, Sir. 

{The servant goes out. Dr. Downward advances to the Major. 
Mr. Darch, after a glance at the Doctor, withdraws to the 
back.) 

DR. D. 

I think, sir, I have the honour of addressing the gentleman 
who advertised, under the initial "M.," for a governess in the 

Times ? 

MAJOR M. 

I am that person, sir. 

DR. D. 

I am that other person whom you applied to when the 
governess had answered your advertisement. Miss Gwilt referred 
you to Doctor Downward : I am Doctor Downward. 



MISS GWILT. 9 

MAJOR M. 

I hardly anticipated the pleasure of seeing you as well as 
hearing from you, doctor. Have you made the journey from 
London to Norfolk to answer personally for Miss Gwilt ? 

DR. D. 

By no means ! I have been sent for professionally to a 
patient of mine residing in your neighbourhood, and I have 
Drought Miss Gwilt to Norfolk with me at the request of rela- 
tives of my patient, who wish to secure her services. 

MAJOR M. 

/am anxious to secure her services, doctor, for my daughter 
here. 

dr. d. {bowing to Miss Milroy). 

Exactly ! Your application having reached Miss Gwilt first, 
I think it an act of justice to inform you that other persons are 
anxious to engage her. If you feel the least hesitation 

MAJOR M. 

I feel no hesitation. 

dr. d. {resignedly). 
Very good ! Those other persons must put up with their 
disappointment as well as they can. I will do myself the honour 
of escorting Miss Gwilt to her new sphere of action. I am 
unhappily old enough, Miss Milroy, to acknowledge openly that 
I feel a deep interest in your new governess. A very painful 
circumstance, Major, has enabled me to be of some slight 
service to Miss Gwilt, and has caused me to feel an esteem for 
that lady which it is not in words to express. What a charming 
situation you have here ! The shining sun, the warbling birds, 
the growing grass !— such luxuries to a worn-out London doctor 
like me ! In an hour, Major, I shall have the pleasure of pre- 
senting Miss Gwilt. (Exit.) 

MAJOR M. 

A very agreeable man ! 

MISS M. 

I don't at all like him, papa. Didn't his name strike you 
when he mentioned it ? 

MAJOR M. 

Of course. It was Doctor Downward who advised Mr. 
Blanchard to change his wet clothes. 

MISS M. 

And it was Doctor Downward who attended the woman who 
tried to drown herself. Who can she have been ? 

(Enter Abraham Sage. Sage is an infirm old man.) 



10 MISS GWILT. 

MR. darch {observing htm). 
The head gardener at Thorpe-Ambrose! Abraham Sage, 
what's the matter now ? 

SAGE. 

The matter now, Mr. Darch, is the Mayor and Corporation, 
and all the folk, gentle and simple, out of the town. They are 
asking for you, sir. There is to be speeches and fireworks, and 
eating and drinking, and music and dancing — all for to welcome 
Mr. Armadale. {The Mayor and the Town Council enter from 
the back, followed by the Inhabitants.) 

the mayor {excitedly). 
Mr. Darch, I have been looking for you everywhere. I 
have called a public meeting, sir, and the public have responded 
in such numbers that there is no room big enough to hold us, 
except the hall at the great house. As Mr. Armadale's repre- 
sentative, will you allow us to meet under Mr. Armadale's roof ? 

MR. D. 

May I ask, Mr. Mayor, what the object of the meeting is ? 

THE MAYOR. 

The object of the meeting, sir, is to give a public welcome 
to Mr. Armadale on his arrival at Thorpe-Ambrose. 

{As the Mayor pronounces his last words, Allan and Midwinter 
appear quietly among the crowd, and pass quite unnoticed — the 
general attention being fixed on the Mayor and Mr. Darch 
— down to the front, at one extremity of the stage.) 

Allan {aside to Midwinter, while the Mayor and Mr. Darch 
converse in dumb show). 
" A public welcome to Mr. Armadale on his arrival at 
Thorpe-Ambrose"! Here is Mr. Armadale in the middle of 
them, and not a soul suspects who he is. Midwinter ! I 
wouldn't have missed this for anything. 

MID. 

Pray be careful, Allan. These people may not understand 
your mad fancy for coming among them incognito, and taking 
them all by surprise. 

ALLAN. 

Hold your tongue ! you're interrupting the Mayor. 

the mayor {continuing his conversation with Mr. Darch). 

I repeat, sir, the public feeling of the whole neighbourhood 
is bent on expressing itself — through Me. {Addressing the 
crowd.) Inhabitants of Thorpe-Ambrose ! are you all agreed? 
A public reception for Mr. Armadale ? 



MISS GWILT. I I 

THE CROWD. 

Hear ! hear ! 

allan {aside). 
Not if I know it, Mr. Mayor ! 

the mayor {more and more excitedly). 
A public dinner to Mr. Armadale ! 

THE CROWD. 

Hooray ! 

Allan {aside). 
Mr. Armadale regrets to say he is engaged for that 
evening. 

THE MAYOR. 

A triumphal arch at the entrance to the town, and an address 
from the Mayor. 

THE CROWD. 

Hooray! hooray! 

THE MAYOR. 

A triumphal arch at the entrance to the park, and an address 
from the tenantry ! 

allan {aside to Midwinter). 
A triumphal arch at the entrance to the kitchen, and an 
address from the cat ! 

mr. darch {interfering). 

One word, Mr. Mayor. Are you going to hold your meeting 
here, in the open air ? 

the mayor. 

I stand corrected, sir. This is highly irregular. We must 
proceed by formal resolutions. You grant us the use of the 
hall? (Mr. Darch bows.) Very good. {To the Crowd.) 
Gentlemen ! Mr. Armadale's representative permits us to meet 
in the hall at the great house. Follow me, if you please, follow 
me ! 

( The Mayor and Mr. Darch go out, followed by the Town Council, 
by Sage, and by the inhabitants. Major and Miss Milroy 
are left at one extremity of the stage , near the cottage. Allan 
and Midwinter, standing aside at the bach, look after the 
inhabitants as they go out.) 

major M. {turning towards the cottage). 
I'll tell your mother, my dear, that your governess will be 
here in an hour's time. 

MISS M. 

And I'll make use of my liberty before the governess comas ! 
My nosegay from the park gardens is not completed yet. {She 
takes her unfinished nosegay from the garden table, and stops the 



12 MISS GWlLT. 

Major on his way into the cottage. At the same moment Allan and 
Midwinter descend the stage again.) While you are about it, 
don't forget to tell mamma that Mr. Armadale will sign our lease. 
(Major M. nods to her, and goes into the cottage. Miss M. turns, 
and sees Allan and Midwinter looking at her.) Who can those 
young men be ? 

Allan (to Midwinter). 
A pretty girl ! I'll make acquaintance with her. 

MID. 

Allan ! what are you thinking of ? 

allan (approaching Miss M., and taking off his hat). 
I beg your pardon, I am quite a stranger here. May I ask 
if I am trespassing in Mr. Armadale's park ? 

miss m. (coldly and stiffly). 
The park is open, sir, to everybody. 

ALLAN. 

Very kind of the proprietor, I'm sure. I beg your pardon 
again — I think you said something just now about Mr. Armadale 
signing a lease ? Take my word for it, he'll sign anything you 
like with the greatest pleasure. 

miss M. (haughtily). 
What have you to do, sir, with our lease ; And how can you 
presume to say whether Mr. Armadale will sign it or not ? 

(She goes out indignantly at the back of the stage.) 

allan (to Midwinter). 
That's good, isn't it ? You look out of spirits, Midwinter. 
Does this sort of thing bore you ? It amuses me. 

MID. 

My dear Allan, it is time this frolic of yours was ended. 
There are serious duties connected with the wealth that has 
fallen into your hands. Pardon me for saying it, you sadly want 
somebody 

ALLAN. 

Somebody with a steadier head than mine to keep me 
straight ? I quite agree with you. And what's more, I've found 
the man. 

MID. 

Where is he ? 

ALLAN. 

Here to be sure ! (He puts his hand on Midwinter's 
shoulder.) You're the man. 

MID. 

My dear Allan I I am little better than a stranger to you \ 



MISS GWILT. 13 

ALLAN. 

Pooh ! pooh ! I know all about you. 

mid. {starting back in alarm). 
You know all about me ! When did I tell you ? 

ALLAN. 

I wanted no telling, the thing explained itself. How did I 
first hear of you ? I heard of your being found insensible at the 
roadside near my old home. How did I first see you ? Help- 
less at the village inn — raving in a brain fever, with nobody but 
strangers near you. What did I find out about you, when we 
had to search your knapsack ? I found out that you had been 
an usher at a school, and that the brutes had turned you adrift 
in the world when your illness began. I nursed you through 
your illness, and I have taken a fancy to you, and there's an end 
of it. Let's drop the subject. 

mid. {with deep feeling). 
No f One of us must go on with the subject. You have 
treated me like a brother, and I have never given you my con- 
fidence in return. My life has been a very sad one : there is 
only that excuse for me. I lost my mother when I was quite 
young. My father went abroad and left me among strangers. 
I was starved and ill-treated. It ended in my running away. 
Still a mere child, I found myself one evening in the wild north 
of Scotland, lost on a moor. Do you think I was afraid ? Not 
I ! I had won my liberty, and I hadn't a friend in the world to 
regret. I laid down, alone in the dark, under the lee of a rock, 
the happiest boy in all Scotland. 

ALLAN. 

Don't talk in that way ! I don't like to hear it ! 

MID. 

When I awoke next morning, I found a sturdy old man with 
a fiddle on one side of me, and two dancing dogs on the other. 
The fiddler gave me a good breakfast out of his knapsack, and 
let me romp with the dogs. I was an active little boy, and he 
saw his way to making use of me. " Now, my man ! " he said, 
" listen to me. You have had a good breakfast. If you want a 
good dinner, jump up and earn it, along with the dogs ! " He led 
the way ; the dogs trotted after him, and I trotted after the 
dogs. 

ALLAN. 

Who was the fellow with the fiddle ? 

MID. 

A half-bred gipsy, a drunkard, a ruffian, and a thief — and, 
until I met you, the best friend I ever had. 



H MISS GWILT. 

ALLAN {astonished). 
The best friend you ever had ! 

MID. 

Isn't a man your friend who gives you your food, your shelter, 
and your education ? My gipsy-master taught me to walk on 
stilts, and to sing songs to his fiddle. We roamed the country 
and performed at fairs. The dogs and I lived together, ate and 
drank and slept together. I can't think of those poor little four- 
footed brothers of mine, even now, without a choking in the 
throat. Many is the beating we three took together — many is 
the hard days' dancing we did together — many is the night we 
have slept together, and whimpered together, on the cold hill- 
side. I'm not trying to distress you, Allan ; I'm only telling you 
the truth. The life was a life that fitted me ; and the half-bred 
gipsy — ruffian as he was — was a ruffian that I liked. 

ALLAN. 

A man who beat you ! 

MID. 

Didn't I tell you just now that 1 lived with the dogs ? Did 
you ever hear of a dog who liked his master the less for beating 
him ? I served my master for nearly eight years. He died one 
day, drunk, on the moor, and I was thrown on the world again. 
An old lady took a fancy to me next, and tried me under the 
upper servants in the house. Yes ; you have been friendly with 
a man who once wore a livery. I have seen something of 
Society — I have helped to fill its stomach and to black its boots. 
One day some money was missing. I had never even seen the 
money ; but I was the only servant without a character — and 
out I went ! My next employer was a bookseller in a country 
town. 

ALLAN. 

Come, that sounds better ! Did you find your way to a 
friend at last ? 

MID. 

I found my way to the most merciless miser in all England. 
He had starved everybody out of his employment when he met 
with me. I lived in his service — I educated myself with his 
books — for three years. At the end of that time the miser died. 
I was his creditor for a month's salary, and he refused me a 
character on his deathbed unless I promised to forgive him the 
debt. I bought my character on those terms. "Aha!" he 
whispered to me, with his last breath, " I have got you cheap ! " 
Was my gipsy-master's stick as cruel as that ? I think not. A 
day or two after, an advertisement told me that an usher was wanted 
at a school. The mean terms offered encouraged me to apply, and 
I got the place. What happened to me next you know better 
than I do. The thread of my story is all wound off. My vaga- 



MISS GWILT. 15 

bond life stands stripped of its mystery, and you know the worst 
of me at last. 

ALLAN. 

Midwinter, give me your hand ! Accept the steward's place, 
and be my friend for life \ 

mid. {deeply affected). 
Allan ! Allan ! I am used to harsh words and cold looks — I 
am not used to this. Oh, if I could only feel sure of being of 
some real service to you ! 

ALLAN. 

/feel sure of it — and that's enough. Hush ! there's some- 
body coming. {They both draw back a little.) 

Miss milroy {speaking outside). 
You old wretch ! Touch one of my flowers if you dare ! 

{She enters on the right, holding up her dress filled with flowers, 
and followed by Abraham Sage, with his rake in his hand.) 

SAGE. 

It's no use, Miss— the flowers in the park garden are under 
my charge, and must not be picked. What would Mr. Arma- 
dale say ? 

Miss M. {half angry, half crying). 

If Mr. Armadale is the gentleman I take him for, he would 
say, " Come into my garden, Miss Milroy, as often as you like, 
and take as many nosegays as you please." 

Allan {advancing). 
" Come into my garden, Miss Milroy, as often as you like, 
and take as many nosegays as you please ! " 

MISS M. 

That man again ! How dare you mock me in that way, sir ? 
Who are you ? 

ALLAN. 

I'll make a clean breast of it to you, Miss Milroy. I'm Allan 
Armadale ! (Abraham Sage takes off his hat, and waits for an 
opportunity of speaking.) 

Miss m. {thunderstruck). 
Mr. Armadale ! {Drops the flowers, and clasps her hands in 
despair.) Oh, heavens ! I shall sink into the earth ! 

ALLAN. 

Suppose we pick up the flowers first ? {He kneels and puts 
the flowers bach into Miss Milroy's lap.) 

SAGE. 

I bid you humbly welcome to Thorpe-Ambrose, sir. My 
name is Abraham Sage. I have been head gardener here for 



10 MISS GWJLT. 

forty years, and my late employer had the highest opinion of 
me. 

{Neither Allan nor Miss Milroy notice Sage. Miss Milroy is 

ashamed to receive the flowers, and Allan insists on putting 
them back into her dress. Sage waits immovably for his next 
opportunity.} 

MISS M. 

Don't, Mr. Armadale — pray don't 1 I'm so ashamed of the 
things I said to you. My tongue ran away with me — it did 
indeed ! What must you think of me ? 

Allan {putting the last flower bach, and rising to his feet). 

I think you're the prettiest girl I've met with for many a 
long day. I beg your pardon, Miss Milroy. My tongue ran 
away with me that time. 

SAGE {seeing his next opportunity). 
My name, sir, is Abraham Sage. I've been employed in the 
grounds for forty years 

ALLAN. 

You shall be employed for forty years more, if you'll only 
hold vour tongue and take yourself off. (Sage never stirs.) 
Well ? 

sage. 

I should wish to speak to you, sir, on the subject of my son. 
My son has been employed in the grounds for twenty years. 
He is strictly sober. He is remarkably industrious. And he 
belongs to the Church of England, without encumbrances. 
(Allan makes a gesture of impatience.) I humbly thank you, in 
my son's name and in my own. I'll go to the house now and 
tell them all that Mr. Armadale is here. 

ALLAN. 

You will do nothing of the kind, Mr. Sage. When the time 
comes I'll tell them myself. 

sage {going out). 
I couldn't think of letting you do it, sir. Don't you be afraid 
of my legs ! They're shaky to look at, I grant you. Never you 
fear — my legs will take me as far as the house. {Exit). 

Allan {to Midwinter, who has remained at the back). 
Midwinter ! Stop that old fool ! (Midwinter laughs, 
makes a sign in the affirmative, and follows Sage. Allan turns 
to Miss M.) That gentleman is my new steward, Miss Milroy, 
and my best friend. Come into the garden and get some more 
flowers. {He gives Miss Milroy his arm.) Which is the way? 



MISS GWILT. 17 

miss M. {laughing). 
Fancy your asking your way about your own grounds ! 
{Suddenly drawing back from Allan.) Stop ! I had forgotten 
that horrid Miss Gwilt ! Mr. Armadale, my new governess is 
coming to-day. I must wait at home to receive her. 

ALLAN. 

She hasn't come yet. Just a little stroll. Give me a faint 
notion of my own property ! 

miss m. 

Impossible ! If I don't go in directly, papa will be coming 
out to look for me. {The Major appears at the door of the cottage.) 
Here he is. Papa, a surprise for you. This is Mr. Armadale. 

MAJOR M. 

Mr. Armadale ! I had no idea you had arrived at Thorpe 

Ambrose already. Pray come into my little cottage. The 

luncheon is on the table. Will you waive all ceremony, and 
join us ? 

ALLAN. 

With the greatest pleasure, Major Milroy ! 

miss m. 

Papa, the key of the cellar. I'm butler, Mr. Armadale. 

We've got a little sherry, and a little claret, and a very little 

champagne. Which wine will you have ? Please say champagne ! 

major m. {laughing). 
If you ever have a daughter of your own, Mr. Armadale, 
don't begin as I have done by letting her have her own way. 
{He gives Miss M. the key. Enter Midwinter at the back.) 

mid. {to Allan). 
It was useless to speak to that obstinate old man. I have 
been myself to the house, and I have explained everything to 
the Mayor. A little civility from you will soon set things right 
again. 

ALLAN. 

See what an invaluable steward you are already ! (He turns 
to Major Milroy.) Major Milroy, let me introduce my friend, 
Mr. Midwinter. 

MAJOR M. 

Will you lunch with us at the cottage, Mr. Midwinter ? 

MID. 

Pray excuse me, sir. I have a letter to read 

Allan {interrupting him). 
All right ! Get done with it as soon as you can, and join us 
at the Major's table. {Giving his arm to Miss Milroy.) Now 
for the champagne ! 



I 8 MISS GWILT. 

(Allan, Miss Milroy, and Major Milroy enter the cottage ) 

MID. 

Alone at last! (He takes a letter from his pocket,) What does 
this mean ? I find it waiting for me — forwarded from my 
London lodgings — when I enter Allan's house for the first time. 
(He opens the envelope, and takes out a letter and a sealed enclosure 
which he finds inside. He places the enclosure on the table, and reads 
the letter first.) " Sir, — I have only to-day discovered your 
address in London, thanks to Dr. Downward." (He speaks.) 
Doctor Downward ? Ah, yes ! the first doctor whom I found at 
home when the lady was saved from drowning. (He reads.) 
" I had occasion not long since to consult the doctor profession- 
ally. In the course of conversation he mentioned a case of 
attempted drowning to which he had been called in, and I 
became thus informed that your address was to be found in the 
records of the police court as witness in the case." (He speaks.) 
Quite true ! How often I have thought of that beautiful woman 
since I (He reads.) " The object of my letter is to inform you, 
as your father's executor, of your father's death abroad." (He 
speaks.) Dead ! And we have been strangers to one another 
since 1 was a child ! (He reads.) " You will receive the income 
which you inherit from your father, on applying at the enclosed 
address." 

(Enter Allan from the cottage.) 

ALLAN. 

Hav'nt you done ? We are all waiting for you. 

MID. 

Pray don't wait ; I can't join you yet. I will be with you 
later. 

ALLAN. 

Don't be long. (He returns to the cottage.) 

mid. (resuming his reading). 
Where did I leave off? Here it is! (He reads.) ... . 
'■ on applying at the enclosed address. Be pleased, in signing 
the necessary receipts, to sign your family name." (He speaks.) 
My family name ? What does he mean ? (He reads.) " Your 
rightful name, concealed by your father for some reason un- 
known to all his friends, is — Allan Armadale ! " (He starts back, 
thunderstruck.) Am I dreaming in broad daylight ? Am I mad ? 
My name " Allan Armadale ! " My name the same as my 
friend's ! (He turns as if to enter the cottage, then checks himself.) 
No! Let me finish the letter first. (He reads.) " The sealed 
letter enclosed in this was found among your father's papers. 
I forward it, as you see, unopened, and remain your obedient 
servant." The sealed letter may solve the mystery. Where 



MISS GWILT. 19 

did I put it ? (He takes the letter from the table, breaks the seal, 
seats himself at the table and reads.) " My son ! I have left you 
among strangers, under a false name. These lines, written on 
my deathbed, will tell you why. You are a cousin of Allan 
Armadale, of Thorpe-Ambrose ; his father and I were 
brothers." (He speaks.) Brothers ! Allan's father and my 
father brothers ! Oh, what a discovery, for Allan as 
well as for me ! (He reads.) " You and your cousin 
were both christened by the name of a wealthy member 
of our family, whose favour we were alike interested in trying 
to gain. So you come by the name I leave you — Christian name 
and surname the same as your cousins." (Tie speaks.) Now 
I understand it — Christian name and surname the same as 
Allan's. (He reads.) " My confession must follow these ex- 
planatory words: It is the confession of a crime." (He speaks.) 
A crime ! Dare I read any further ? (He reads.) " While you 
and your cousin were still infants, a mortal quarrel divided my 
brother and myself. Of the cause I shall say nothing ; it was 
equally disgraceful to him and to me. We were both husbands ; 
we were both fathers at the time. Friends and relatives will tell 
you that my brother died, at the period of the quarrel, by an ac- 
cident. To you alone I confess it — that accident was the work 
of my hand." (He starts to his feet shuddering.) Oh, God ! I 
see it now. The one friend I have made in the solitude of my 
life, is the son of the man who died by my father's hand, and 
that man his own brother ! Horrible ! horrible ! Let me get 
to the end ! (He reads.) " Why do I darken your young life at 
its outset with the shadow of your father's crime ? Because the 
fear is on me ihatyou may pay the penalty of the crime. It is 
written that the sins of the father shall be visited on the children. 
I tremble for what may happen if you and your cousin ever 
meet. Hide yourself from him in the future, as I have hidden 
you from him in the past — under your assumed name. Put the 
mountains and the seas between you and the other Allan. Never 
let the two Armadales meet in this world — never ! never I 
never ! " (A pause. He folds the letter and speaks.) Put the 
mountains and the seas between me and the man to whom I 
owe the first happiness of my life. (He places the letter in the 
breast of his coat, and looks towards the cottage ; his grief over- 
powering him while he looks.) Dearest of cousins, first and last 
of friends, farewell ! (He turns towards the back of the stage. A 
pause before he speaks again.) Must I leave him ? (He returns 
towards the cottage.) Why may I not atone for my father's crime 
by giving him the service of my life ? Trouble may be coming 
to him, and I may avert it. Danger may lie in his path, and 
I may be the man who saves him ! (His head sinks on his 
breast; he stands thinking. Allan appears at the door of the 
cottage. ) 

B 2 



2 MISS GWILT. 

ALLAN (a little exhilarated by wine). 
Midwinter, why don't you come in and taste the Major's 
champagne ? 

{He approaches Midwinter, and puts his hand on his friend's 

shoulder.) 

mid. {shrinking from him). 
Don't touch me ! 

Allan (in astonishment). 
Have I offended you ? 

mid. {sorrowfully). 
Offended me I Oh, my poor boy, are you to blame for being 
kind to me ? And am I to blame for feeling your kindness 
thankfully ? 

ALLAN {becoming serious on his side). 
What does he mean ? Midwinter, you talk strangely — you 
look dreadfully pale. Are you ill ? Come into the cottage. A 
glass of wine will put you right again. 

mid. 
Not now! not now! I shall soon be better. I have been 
considering, Allan, about the employment that you offered me. 
Let me go. I am not the man for the steward's place. 

ALLAN. 

Don't excite yourself! You shall have the place, because you 
are not the man for it. There are one or two other places in 
England filled on that principle. Drop this, Midwinter, or you 
will really distress me. Ask the Major what he thinks. The 
Major has been talking to me about you. He told me that a 
wealthy position was a dangerous position for a man of my age. 
" You may want a friend's advice," he said ; " you may need a 
friend's help sooner than you think." If the Major is right, it 
is your advice I shall want, and your help I may need. (He 
turns to enter the cottage?) Come along ! 

mid. (aside). 
My own thought reflected in his mind ! recalled to me by 
his lips ! Is it a warning to me to stay ? 

Allan (at the cottage gate). 
Come ! come ! The Major is waiting to see you. 

(Midwinter declines by a gesture, and walks aside among the trees 
at the back. At the same moment Major Milroy and Miss 
Milroy appear at the gate.) 

major m. 
Anything wrong, Mr. Armadale ? 



MISS GWILT. 2 1 

ALLAN. 

My friend is not very well, Major. He leaves me to make 
his apologies to you and Miss Milroy. 

( While Allan is speaking, Dr. Downward appears at the back of 
the stage, on the left, with Miss Gwilt on his arm. Miss 
Milroy sees them over her father* s shoulder.) 

MISS M. 

Papa, the new governess ! 

{The Major advances, and is presented by the Doctor to Miss 
Gwilt. Miss Milroy hangs back near Allan.) 

alian {looking at Miss Gwilt). 
By Jove ! what a handsome woman ! 

miss m. {overhearing him). 
I can't congratulate you on your taste, Mr. Armadale. 

major m. {beckoning to his daughter). 
My dear, come and be introduced to Miss Gwilt. 

(Miss Milroy advances unwillingly, remaining on Miss G wilt's 
right. Dr. Downward occupies Major Milroy's place, on 
Miss Gwilt's left, which the Major leaves vacant after intro- 
ducing his daughter. Miss Gwilt takes Miss Milroy kindly 
by the hand.) 

miss gwilt. 
The first minute or two with strangers is always a little trying, 
Miss Milroy ; is it not ? I hope I don't look very formidable ? 
I am almost as nervous on occasions like these as you are ; but 
I try to hide it. 

miss m. {satirically). 
And I think you succeed, Miss Gwilt. 

miss G. {assuming the same tone on her side). 
Do you, really ? What a nice, frank, open nature you have, 
my dear ! {She notices Allan, and addresses the Major.) 
Another member of your family, Major Milroy ? 

major m. {crossing to the right to present Allan). 
No, no, Miss Gwilt. The enviable possessor of this beauti- 
ful place — Mr. Allan Armadale. 

(Miss G. holes at Allan and bows formally, as if her first impression 
of him was not favourable.) 

ALLAN. 

I hope I shall have the pleasure of showing you the place, 
Miss Gwilt {asidt), as soon as I know anything about it myself. 
{He calls.) Midwinter ! 



22 MISS GWILT. 

(Midwinter descends the stage. Miss Gwilt speaks aside with 
Miss Milroy.) 

DR. D. (to himself). 
Midwinter ? The man with the assumed name — the man the 
executor mentioned to me in London ! 

ALLAN (to MlDWINTEE). 

My dear fellow ! which is the way to my house ? 

(Midwinter smiles, and speaks with Allan, pointing to the trees at 
the back. Major Milroy addresses his daughter) 

MAJOR M. 

Your governess may wish to see her room, my dear. You 
will find my little cottage furnished very simply, Miss Gwilt. 
This way ! 

(He holds open the gate for Miss Gwilt to pass through. She looks 
towards Allan, who is still speaking with Midwinter, as she 
passes the gate. Midwinter sees her for the first time, recognises 
her, and starts violently* The Doctor watches him atten- 
tively.) 

MID. 

She here ! ! ! 

ALLAN (noticing the change in him). 

What's the matter ? You've brightened up ! Your colour 
has come back ; you look like yourself again ! (He follows the 
direction of Midwinter's eyes ; Miss Gwilt at the same moment 
passing through the gate, and lingering in view, while she speaks to 
Miss M., and admires the flowers. Allan" continues aside to 
Midwinter.) Ah, she's a fine woman, isn't she ? I say ! do 
you still think of leaving me, old fellow ? Which is it now ? Do 
you go or stay ? 

mid. {with his eyes fixed spellbound on Miss Gwilt). 
I stay ! 



the end of the first act. 



MISS GWILT. 23 



ACT II. — The Doctor. 

Scene. — The interior of the fishing -house at Thorpe-Ambrose, divided 
by a vertical partition — with a door in it — into two r 007ns of 
unequal size. The larger of the two opens on a terrace and 
verandah at the back of the stage, commanding a view of a sheet 
of water. This room is fitted up as a museum, and is decorated 
with Indian and Chinese curiosities, fishing implements, ancient 
and modern weapons, models of ships and boats, and in a pro- 
minent place a model of a schooner-yacht. 

The smaller room {fitted up as a reading-room) is entered by 
a door in the partition. The upper part of the door is of glass, 
covered by a curtain on the side of the reading-room. News- 
papers, periodicals, and writing materials are on the table. A 
window large enough for a man to climb through is in the wall of 
the room, at the back. 

At the rise of the curtain Major Milroy, Miss Milroy, and 
Miss Gwilt are discovered in the museum. Miss Gwilt is 
seated at one end of the room making a water-colour drawing of 
a Chinese figure. The Major stands looking over her. Miss 
Milroy is alone at the opposite end of the room, examining a 
book of engravings. 

MAJOR m. 

Miss Gwilt, you are the most universally-gifted person I have 
ever met with. If my reckoning is right, you have been a 
resident in our family for something like three weeks. I declare 
hardly a day has passed without our finding some fresh accom- 
plishment of yours to admire ! Neelie ! why don't you come 
and look at Miss Gwilt's drawing ? 

miss m. 
I am looking at the works of Raphael, papa. Perhaps I may 
be excused if I have no admiration to spare, even for Miss 
Gwilt. 

MISS G. 

I am charmed to find, my dear, that you are making some 
progress in your knowledge of art. It is something to have 
discovered that Raphael was a better painter than I am ! 



24 MISS GWILT. 

major m. [looking about him). 
What do you think of our young squire's fishing-house, Miss 
Gwilt ? I confess I don't appreciate some of Mr. Armadale's 
curiosities. What can he want with these models of ships, for 
instance ? 

MISS M. 

Mr. Armadale has the true English love of the sea, papa. 
He is going for a cruise in the Mediterranean this autumn. 
That {pointing to it) is the model of the yacht which is to be 
built for him under his own directions. 

MAJOR M. 

Every one to his taste. The Indian things are the prettiest 
things here, to my thinking. {He looks over Miss Gwilt's 
shoulder.) How well you are getting on with your drawing, Miss 
Gwilt ! How well you do everything ! Were you educated in 
England ? 

MISS G. 

Partly in England and partly in France. My poor mother's 
small resources were heavily taxed, Major, for my sake. 

MAJOR M. 

The sacrifice has not been without its reward, Miss Gwilt. 
It has made you the accomplished woman you are now. 

Miss G. {smiling sadly). 
It has done more than that. It has made me feel keenly my 
dependent position in the world. I have had the training of a 
lady — for the life of a servant ! My mind has been cultivated, 
my tastes have been refined — and all for what ? To see people 
without mind and without taste prosperous and happy — to find 
my poverty degrading all that is highest and best in me to the 
level of something to sell, something which the insolence of 
wealth can purchase on its own terms. Don't think me un- 
grateful ! I am speaking of the time before you knew me. Will 
the day ever come when I shall deserve your kindness ? Shall I 
stay with you long enough to win a sister's place in my pupil's 
heart ? 

MISS M. 

You are very good, Miss Gwilt. If you stayed here a hun- 
dred years I should never forget you were my governess ! 

MAJOR M. 

Neelie, that is a very improper answer to make to Miss 
Gwilt. 

miss g. {to the Major). 
Pray don't notice it ! You understand me, don't you ? 

major m. 
I understand, and thank you. It is really a question, Miss 



MISS GWILT. 25 

Gwilt — at your age and with your attractions— whether I have 
any right to keep you buried in this obscure place. A brilliant 
future may be awaiting you. 

miss G. (going on with her drawing). 
You are very kind, Major. I have no faith in the future. 

MAJOR M. 

No faith in the future ! Your worthy friend, Dr. Downward, 
doesn't take that view of your prospects, I am sure. I was sorry 
he had to hurry back to London on the day when he introduced 
you to us. Is there any chance of our soon seeing the Doctor 
again ? 

MISS G. 

Yes. He speaks of paying another visit to his patient in 
Norfolk, and of coming here afterwards to see me in my new 
home. 

MAJOR M. 

I am delighted to hear it. When you have told the good 
Doctor all your news, I may have something to tell him on my 
side in which your interests are concerned. (Smiling, and lower- 
ing his voice.) There are younger men than 1 am in this neigh- 
bourhood who have the taste to admire you. There is one 
young gentleman whose daily walks take him wonderfully often 
in the direction of my cottage. Aha ! you understand now ? 

miss G. (aside, in alarm). 
Does he mean Midwinter ? 

miss M. (aside, in alarm). 
Does he mean Allan ? 

MAJOR M. 

Look into the future, Miss Gwilt, and you may see the lady 
who is soon to be mistress of this great estate ! 

(He walks up the stage towards the door.) 

miss G. (aside, with an air of relief). 
He means Armadale ! 

MISS M. (aside). 
How can papa be so blind ? Is it possible he doesn't see 
that Allan comes to the cottage for me ? 

major M. (returning). 
Neelie ! didn't you tell me you wanted to see the nets drawn 
this morning, and the fish taken out of the lake ? 

MISS M. 

Yes, papa. 

major m. 
Come with me, then. I see the gamekeeper and his men 



2 6 MISS GWILT. 

getting into the boat. (To Miss G.) Look more cheerfully at 
your prospects, Miss Gwilt. I say no more ! 

(The Major and Miss M. go out. Miss G. puts aside her 
drawing materials, rises, and walks irritably up and down the 
room.) 

MISS G. 

My position becomes more insupportable every day. The 
insolence of Miss Milroy ; the blindness of her father to what 
is going on under his own eyes ; the utter impossibility of my 
marrying Armadale, as Doctor Downward had planned — every- 
thing is at cross purposes, everything is going wrong ! I wish 
I was hundreds of miles from this place ! I wish I had been 
left dead at the bottom of the river ! (Pauses.) Strange ! 
whenever I am most reckless, whenever I am most wretched 
now — the thought of that friend of Armadale's comes and 
softens me. Midwinter ! I am thinking of Midwinter again I 
Have I a heart still left ? and has that man touched it ? 

(Midwinter appears at the verandah.) 

MID. 

Miss Gwilt, may I hope that I am not intruding on you ? I 
have something to tell you this morning, and I hardly know how 
to approach the subject. 

Miss G. (smiling). 

Am I so very terrible ? 

MID. 

You are the kindest and gentlest of women ! 

miss G. (aside). 
What is it that speaks to me in his voice ? — what is it that 
looks at me in his eyes ? (To Mid.) You seem agitated. Has 
anything vexed you this morning ? 

MID. 

I have parted this morning from something very precious to 
me. I have thought it right, in case of accidents, to destroy 
your letter — the only letter you have ever written to me. 

MISS G. 

My letter ? Ah, yes ! I wrote to thank you for your merciful 
silence about me in this place. You have told nobody here that 
I am the woman whom you saw charged at the police-station 
with an attempt on her life. 

MID. 

As a favour to me, don't, pray don't, speak of it again ! 

MISS G. 

I dare not ask myself what you must think of me. I can 



MISS GWILT. 27 

claim your pity, and I can claim no. more ! {She leaves him 
dejectedly, and seats herself in a corner of the room.) 

MID. 

For God's sake, Miss Gwilt, believe that you inspire me with 
a feeling worthier of you than pity ! My heart bleeds for you ! 
my heart longs for you ! {He kneels at her feet.) I have dared 
to love you ! {A pause.) With the first love I have ever known 
— with the last love I shall ever feel ! Have I offended you ? 

MISS G. 

Should I remain here if you had offended me ? I am only 
sorry ; not for myself — for you. 

MID. 

For me ? 

MISS G. 

I have suffered as few women suffer. My life has been 
wasted already ! You are at the beginning of your life. What 
misfortunes cajiyou have known ? 

MID. 

I have known no happiness till the day when Allan Armadale 
found me friendless at the village inn. Oh, Miss Gwilt ! the 
new feeling that you have roused in my heart does not make 
Allan less dear to me. I see Allan as my brother when I see 
you as my wife. The love that you inspire is a noble love. It 
takes nothing from me which is due to others ; it leaves me 
grateful as ever, and true as ever, to my first friend. Give me 
one look of encouragement ! Let me hope ! 

MISS G. 

Hope ? Do you ask me to be your wife — knowing no more 
of me than you know now ? 

MID. 

Let me know that you love me, and I know enough. 

MISS G. 

Have you forgotten how we first met ? Have you never 
asked yourself ? 

MID. 

I have asked myself nothing that could give you a moment's 
pain. 

Miss G. {to herself). 

Oh, my past life ! my past life ! I was dreaming that I loved 
him. How cruelly he has awakened me ! {To Mid.) Rise, I 
entreat you. I cannot answer you now. Give me time to think. 

mid. {rising, and seating himself by her). 
Are you not your own mistress ? {A pause. Miss G. males 
no answer. Midwinter takes her hand, and proceeds.) Forgive 
me, if I press the question. Is there any obstacle in the way ? 



28 MISS GWILT. 

(Dr. Downward appears silently under the verandah. Neither 
Miss G. nor Mid. observe him.) 

miss g. (to Mid.). 

Pray don't press me to-day. I'm nervous — I'm out of spirits 
— I'm not well. 

dr. D. (advancing). 

Can I be — medically — of any use ? (Miss G. and Mid. loth 
start. Mid. crosses to the opposite side of the room. The Doctor 
advances benignanily towards Miss G.) A little nervous, my 
child ? The heat of this fine summer weather ! I always carry 
a bottle of smelling-salts for ladies' use. Try it, my dear girl, 
try it ! {He gives the smelling-bottle to Miss G., looks furtively 
towards Midwinter, and speaks aside.) I'll get rid of Mr. Mid- 
winter to begin with. (Approaching Midwinter.) Good 
morning, my dear Sir. Heavenly weather, is it not ? How 
beautiful the country is when the sun is shining, and the birds 
are singing, and the grass is green ! They told me at the 
cottage I should find Major Milroy here. Where is he ? 

mid. 
They are netting the fish, Doctor, at the other end of the 
lake. The Major and Miss Milroy have gone to see the nets 
drawn. 

DR. D. 

To see the nets drawn means, I presume, to see the fish die ? 
— die, on this heavenly day ! As a matter of fact, how sad ! 
As a matter of cookery, how necessary ! I am not a sporting 
man, Mr. Midwinter. Death in any form is — medically — 
abhorrent to me. I think I'll wait here until the expiring 
struggles of our watery fellow-creatures are over. I can eat a 
fish with infinite relish, but I can not see a fish die. Would you 
mind telling the Major ? 

mid. (after looking towards Miss G., who makes a sign to him to go). 
I will tell the Major with pleasure. (In a whisper as he passes 
Miss G.) I love you! (Exit). 

dr. D. (aside). 
Now for Miss Gwilt ! {Seating himself by her.) Better, my 
child ? Have you done with the smelling-bottle ? (Takes it 
from her.) That's right ! Now tell me all your news. Are you 
happy here ? 

miss G. (absently, as if thinking ofMiT>.). 
I am not happy. 

DR. D. 

Not happy ! Look at the sun, my child ! Look at the 
birds ! Look at the grass — and don't, don't take life on the 
gloomy side \ 



MISS GWILT. 29 

miss G. {impatiently). 
There is no disguising it, Doctor. Your plan for restoring 
me to my lost place in the world — your scheme for marrying me 
to Mr. Armadale — has failed. 

dr. D. {shocked). 
My " scheme " ? What a word to use ! Scheming implies 
something cunning and wicked. Am / cunning ? Am I 
wicked ? 

MISS G. {sincerely believing in him). 
You know that I do you justice. I thank you for offering me 
the chance of becoming Mrs. Armadale. It is a chance that 
I have lost. We must give it up. 

DR. D. {honestly scandalised). 
Give it up ? Mr. Armadale's rental reaches ten thousand a 
year. Mr. Armadale's widow has an income secured to her on the 
estate of two thousand a year. All this is at the disposal of my 
adopted child ; and my adopted child says *' Give it up " with- 
out a word of regret ! 

MISS G. 

I can't regret not marrying Armadale. I dislike him — I 
distrust him — I'm afraid of him ! 

DR. D. 

May I ask why ? 

MISS G. 

I told you, Doctor, when we first met. My mother was the 
unhappy cause of a fatal quarrel between two brothers, and one 
of them was Armadale's father. {She shudders with superstitious 
dread.) I'm afraid ! I'm afraid ! 

DR. D. {walking aside and speaking to himself). 
And the other — if I am rightly informed — was Midwinter's 
father. Something may come of this. {He returns abruptly to 
Miss G.) My dear girl, don't let us waste our precious time in 
mystifying each other. Suppose we speak out plainly ? When I 
came into this room I found you alone with Mr. Midwinter, and 
I thought I saw your hand in his. 

miss G. {rising, and trying to change the subject). 
How are you getting on, Doctor, with your business in London ? 
You were occupied with two new speculations when I last saw 
you. You were starting a newspaper, and you were going to 
open a Sanatorium. Is the newspaper getting on ? 

DR. D. {ironically). 
The newspaper is deaf for the present to your kind inquiries. 
{Suddenly changing his tone?) Are you in love with Midwinter ? 

MISS g. {persisting). 
Are you making money by the Sanatorium ? 



30 MISS GWILT. 

DR. D. ( side). 

Damn her obstinacy ! I am a ruined man if I haven't grot 
the handling of Armadale's money in three months' time ! (To 
Miss G., throwing aside all restraint.) Do you know what you 
are doing ? You are turning your back on your own interests — 
you are destroying your own prospects. You are in love with 
Midwinter ! 

miss g. (appealing to the Doctor). 

Don't blame me till you hear what I have to say. I can't 
resist the sympathy which draws me to that man ! I am like a 
prisoner who feels the sun, I am like a drowning wretch who 
rises to the air, when I am with him ! He thrills me with the 
noblest thoughts ; he reconciles me to my better self ; he lifts 
me above the atmosphere of meanness and misery in which I 
have stifled so long! Can you wonder that I love him ? Oh, 
Doctor, Doctor, don't expect too much of me ! I'm only a woman, 
after all ! (She hides her face in her hands and bursts into tears.) 

dr. D. [resuming his fatherly manner). 
And women are occasionally hysterical, my dear. Try the 
smelling-bottle again. 

MISS g. 
I know I have offended you. 

DR. D. 

No ; you have only surprised me. After your sad experience 
of the delusions of love, and the perfidy of man ; after the rash 
attempt on your own life that followed 

MISS G. {interrupting him with a low cry of despair). 
Oh! 

DR. D. 

Pardon me for recalling the painful remembrances of the 
past. 

MISS G. 

You don't recall them. It all came back upon me in its 
bitterness and its shame when Midwinter asked me to be his 
wife. 

DR. D. 

Bitterness ? shame ? You talk as if there was no excuse for 
you ! Remember that I once knew the scoundrel who betrayed 
your trust in him. With my personal experience of Captain 

Manuel 

miss. G. (in sudden alarm). 

Where is he now ? 

DR. D. (affecting not to understand hei). 
Captain Manuel ? Late of the Brazilian Navy ? 

miss g. 
Yes! 



MISS GWILT. 31 

DR. D. 

Make your mind easy. He is out of the country. (Aside.) 
He is waiting for me behind the fishing-house at this moment, 
and I am afraid I shall want him ! (To Miss G.) My dear girl, 
let me appeal for the last time to your better sense. The golden 
opportunity of your life is before you. Pause before you throw 
it away I 

miss. G. (irritably). 

Armadale again ? 

dr. d. (persuasively). 

Ten thousand a year, my sweet friend, while he lives. Two 
thousand a year to his widow when he dies. 

MISS G. 

Oh, Doctor ! Doctor ! you force me to tell you everything. 
There is no contending against impossibilities. Armadale is 
privately engaged to Miss Milroy. 

dr. d. (thunderstruck). 
Engaged to Miss Milroy ? Nonsense ! It can't be. 

MISS G. 

It is. I know it. 

DR. D. 

Does Major Milroy know it ? 

MISS G. 

Certainly not ! Major Milroy believes that Armadale is in 
love with me. 

DR. D. (walking aside in triumph). 

The game is not lost yet ! The Major shall know of his 
daughter's engagement. Where is he ? (He turns towards the 
door and confronts Major Milroy and Miss Milroy, who enter 
at the. same moment.) 

MAJOR M. 

Dr. Downward ? Welcome to Thorpe-Ambrose ! How long 
have you been here ? 

DR. D. 

I have visited my patient, Major, and I have been gossiping 
with Miss Gwilt. (Miss Gwilt slowly withdraws into the reading- 
room, and takes up a newspaper. Dr. Downward addresses Miss 
Milroy.) And how is this dear young lady? Ah, I needn't 
ask. She is as bright as the sun, Major ; she is as happy as the 
birds ; she is as fresh as the grass. Thank you, my child — thank 
you, for feasting an old Doctor's eyes on the charming spectacle 
of youth, beauty, and health ! 

major M. (laughing). 
Hush ! hush ! Doctor ! You'll turn her head. 



32 MISS GWILT. 

MISS M. {aside). 
He turn my head ! Fawning old wretch ! I hate a 
patriarch in a coat and trousers ! 

DR. D. 

What news of our friends here, Major ? How is the happy- 
possessor of this beautiful place ? 

MAJOR M. 

I have some news for you in that quarter, Doctor. {He looks 
significantly after Miss G., and lowers his voice.) Mr. Armadale is 
in love ! 

DR. D. 

Natural enough at his age. {He bows pointedly to Miss Mil- 
roy, who turns aside in confusion and alarm) The fair object of 
his devotion, Major, is not far to seek. 

major m. (astonished). 
My daughter ? Why, she was only sixteen last birthday. 
Absurd ! 

Miss M. {faintly). 
Papa — I'm not very well — I'll go back to the house. 

DR. D. {aside). 
I've done it ! 

major m. {stopping her). 
My dear, if you are ill here is the doctor. {To Dr. D.) Do 
you understand this ? 

DR. D. 

My dear sir, surely it's plain enough. {To Miss M.) There 
is only one excuse for my blunder, Miss Milroy. Your father 
was the first to mention Mr. Armadale's name. 

major m. {sternly). 
What! 

MISS M. {bursting into tears). 
Oh, papa, papa ! forgive me ! Allan would have spoken to 
you if you had only waited a little longer. 

MAJOR M. 

Allan ? She speaks of Mr. Armadale by his Christian name ! 
{Calling.) Miss Gwilt! (Miss G. advances from the reading- 
room.) Have you seen anything going on between my daughter 
and Mr. Armadale ? 

MISS G. 

I am not in your daughter's secrets, Major Milroy. 

MAJOR M. 

I asked you a question, Miss Gwilt. 

Miss G. {haughtily). 
I have answered your question, sir. 



MISS GWILT. 33 

miss m. {rousing her courage). 
Don't ask Miss Gwilt, papa ! If I have done wrong, I can 
own it, without Miss Gwilt coming between us. (Miss G. 
turns away contemptuously.) Mr. Armadale made me an offer in 
the garden last week, and — and I did'nt say No. 
major M, {indignantly). 
And I hear of it now for the first time ! — hear of it by an 
accident! 

MISS M. 

It's my fault, papa. Allan proposed speaking to you ; and I 
said, " No ! I shall be sent to school if you do." 

MAJOR M. 

Mr. Armadale shall answer it to me before another hour is 
over his head. 

dr. D. {looking towards the verandah). 
Mr. Armadale is here. 

{Enter Allan, followed by Midwinter. Allan advances to the 
front. Midwinter remains at the bach with Miss Gwilt.) 

ALLAN. 

Good morning, Doctor ! Good morning, Major ! Good 
morning, ladies! I'm delighted to see you all in my little 
museum. Major! you have heard me talk of my yacht ? Come 
here, and I'll explain the model to you. {The Major looks 
sternly at Allan, without moving.) What's the matter ? What's 
wrong with Miss Milroy ? 

MAJOR m. 

I don't know what the code of honour may be, Mr. Arma- 
dale, in the world in which you have lived. In the world in 
which / have lived, a man who visits at another man's house, 
and who entraps his daughter into a private engagement, is a 
man who has betrayed a trust that has been placed in him. 
Consider yourself, if you please, a stranger to me and to my 
daughter from this time forth. {Be turns to go. The Doctor, 
standing apart, rubs his hands in triumph.) 

ALLAN. 

Stop a minute, Major. If I deserve harsh words, you have 
the consolation of knowing that you have given me my deserts. 
I own I have done wrong, and I ask your pardon with all my 
heart. But I can't resign Miss Milroy. Treat me as you may, 
I shall still aspire to the honour of winning your daughter's 
hand. 

dr. d. {aside, looking at the Major). 

He has shaken the Major ! 

Miss M. {to her father). 
Break my heart if you like, papa ; but give Allan another 
chance ! 



34 MISS GWILT. 

major M. {hesitating). 
Does he deserve a chance ? 

MISS M. 

Yes, papa, I have studied his character, and I ought to 
know. 

major M. {smiling). 
You are a little fool ! 

miss M. {humbly). 
I am anything you like, papa ! 

DR. D. {aside). 
The game's lost ! 

{He turns his back on the rest, and stands absorbed in his own 

thoughts.) 

major m. {to Allan). 
I don't give you back the confidence which you have 
forfeited, Mr. Armadale. I offer you a chance of recovering it, 
on certain terms. I require you to abstain, for one year, from 
all communication with my daughter. If, at the end of that 
time, you and she are of the same mind, I will receive you as a 
suitor for Miss Milroy's hand. (Allan at a sign from Miss M. 
bows in silent submission to Major M.'s proposal. The Major 
gives Miss M. his arm.) Come, Neelie ! 

miss G. {stepping forward). 
One moment, Major Milroy. {The Major waits.) Your 
daughter has failed in politeness to me on more than one 
occasion, and I have excused her in consideration of her youth. 
But my forbearance has its limits. When you questioned me 
just now you looked and spoke as if you doubted me. 

major m. 
I only doubt, Miss Gwilt, whether I might not have placed 
the care of my daughter in more experienced hands. 

miss g. {haughtily). 
I will afford you the opportunity, sir, of trying the experi- 
ment. After what has passed, I beg to withdraw from the 
position which I hold in your house. 

major ir. 
As you please, Miss Gwilt. Now, Neelie ! {The Major 
gives his daughter his arm.) 

miss m. {in a whisper as they pass Allan). 
Submit, for my sake ! 

{The Major and Miss M. go out. Allan follows them to the door, 
and looks after them. Midwinter watchts his opportunity of 
speaking to Miss Gwilt). 



MISS GWILT. 35 

miss g. {to the Doctor). 
I should have died if I had not spoken ! He looked at me 
as if I was his servant ! {The Doctor bows absently. Failing to 
rouse him from his thoughts^ Miss Gwilt turns away. Mid- 
winter advances to meet her. They walk aside together, while the 
Doctor speaks his next words. Allan turns from the door, and 
joins them when the Doctor is silent.) 

dr. d. {left alone in front). 
She has lost the last chance of marrying the heir of Thorpe- 
Ambrose ! The handling of Armadale's money means the 
handling of his widow's income now. I must employ Captain 
Manuel. I am forced back on a crime. 

{He remains absorbed in his thoughts?) 

Allan {joining Midwinter and Miss G.). 
What am I to do now ? I have seen the last of my darling 
Neelie for a whole year. I can't stop here after that — the place 
is hateful to me ! Let's go to Cowes to-morrow, Midwinter, 
and hire the first yacht that's ready for sea. (Dr. D. is roused by 
Allan's voice. He looks round and listens.) We'll cruise in the 
Mediterranean, and get through the time in that way. I'll go 
and tell the servants to pack our things and shut up the house. 
{He is going ; Midwinter stops him.) 

MID. 

Wait a little, Allan. I have something to say to you first. 

ALLAN. 

All right. I'll be back in ten minutes. {He goes out. Mid- 
winter and Miss G. remain at the back, talking together?) 

dr. d. {still pursuing his thoughts alone in front). 
Armadale goes to the Mediterranean, and Midwinter marries 
Miss Gwilt ; the three meet abroad — and Armadale dies ! On 
that chain of events my fortunes hang ! {He pauses, and looks 
round at Midwinter.) The first question to settle is the ques- 
tion of Midwinter. Can I rely on what his father's executor 
told me ? Is he really the other Armadale's son ? 

miss g. {hurriedly leaving Midwinter, and addressing the Doctor). 
Midwinter is going to speak to you. Don't answer him till 
you have spoken to me. 

mid. {approaching Dr. D. on the other side). 
Dr. Downward, you stand in the place of a father to Miss 
Gwilt. She has resigned her situation in Major Milroy's house. 
In your presence I offer her a home of her own — I ask her to be 
my wife. 

dr. D. {looking Midwinter steadily in the face). 
In which of your two names do you ask her — Mr. Allan 
Armadale, the second ? 

c 2 



36 MISS GWILT. 

(Midwinter starts back, thunderstruck.) 

miss G. (looking at the Doctor in astonishment). 
What do you mean ? 

mid. (recovering himself). 
I don't understand you, sir. 

DR. D. 

Don't let us waste time and words. You are cousin and 
namesake of Allan Armadale, of Thorpe-Ambrose, and you have 
some reason of your own for concealing it which is unknown to 
me. Your secret is safe, sir, in my hands. 

MID. 

Safe ! You have just revealed my secret to Miss Gwilt. I 
insist on knowing why ! 

DR. D. 

You shall hear directly. (To Miss G., signing to her privately 
to go into the reading-room.) I have a letter to write. Can you find 
me pen, ink, and paper in the reading-room ? 

miss g. 
Certainly. (Aside to the Dr.) Decide on nothing till I 
come back. (She goes into the reading-room. The Dr. speaks with 
Midwinter. Miss G. conti?iues, speaking to herself.) The other 
Armadale's son ! Two of them in the second generation, as 
there were two in the first ; and I, the child of the one accom- 
plice in that story of treachery and murder, I stand here, saved 
by a miracle from suicide, saved to know them both ! (She 
pauses, and absently arranges the writing materials.) 

dr. d. (continuing the conversation with Midwinter). 
Just so ! just so ! You propose to marry my adopted 
daughter. What are your means of supporting a wife ? 

MID. 

I have an income of my own — four hundred a year. 

DR. D. 

Nothing in these days ! 

MID. 

I might add to it. In my happier moments I have aspired 
to win fame and fortune by my pen. Don't laugh at my ambi- 
tion. 

DR. D. 

I can help your ambition. A new daily paper has started in 
London, and I am one of the proprietors. I might get you 
tried as occasional correspondent. 

mid. {delighted). 
Oh, Doctor ! 



MISS GWILT. 37 

DR. D. 

Are you willing to go abroad ? Would you object to Italy- 
say Naples ? 

MID. 

Certainly not. But you forget Miss Gwilt. 

DR. D. 

I am thinking of Miss Gwilt. If you go to Naples your 
wife goes with you. 

mid. {amazed). 
You consent ! 

DR. D. 

Hush! 

(Miss G. enters from the reading-room.) 

MISS G. 

The writing materials are ready for you, Doctor. 

DR. D. 

Thank you, my dear. (To Mid.) You asked me just now 
why I revealed your secret to this lady. She knows your name, 
be:ause she has a right to know it. You have my full consent 
to make her your wife, 

miss g. (to the Doctor, reproachfully). 
Have you forgotten what I told you ? 

dr. d. (coolly). 
Completely. (He walks aside.) 

miss g. (in distress and embarrassment). 
What can I say ? 

mid. (in a whisper). 
Say you love me ! 

miss g. (losiny her self-control as Midwinter looks at her). 
You know I love you ! 

dr. d. (returning to them and addressing Midwinter). 
One word more on the subject of your name. You must 
lawfully marry my adopted child. In plainer words, you must 
marry her in your own name. 

MID. 

In the name of Allan Armadale ? 

DR. D. 

In the name of Allan Armadale, and in my presence as a 
witness. 

mid. {appealing to Miss G.). 
May the marriage be private ? 



38 MISS GWILT. 

MISS G. 

I should prefer it in private. 

mid. (to Dr. D.). 
I will marry Miss Gwilt in my own name, and in your 
presence as a witness. 

DR. D. 

What about the name when you are man and wife ? 

mid. (earnestly). 
I must not, I dare not, acknowledge my own name. While 
Allan Armadale, of Thorpe-Ambrose, lives, it must be concealed 
from him and from everyone. (To Miss G.) I will tell you 
why, darling, when we are married. In the meantime, can you 
live, for my sake, under the name that I have assumed ? 

Miss G. (hesitating). 
Your request takes me by surprise. 

MID. 

Look at it as a matter of convenience only. If we passed 
in the world by the name that is my friend's as well as mine, 
think of the misunderstanding to which it might lead. 

dr. D. (aside, at the reading-room door, with an incontrollable burst 

of surprise). 
He is blundering blindfold on the very purpose that I have 
in view ! 

mid. (continuing to Miss G.). 
Suppose Allan happened to leave this place a single man ? 

DR. D. (aside). 
He will leave it a single man ! 

MID. 

And suppose a Mrs. Armadale was heard of afterwards ? 
People might think you had married Allan instead of me. 

DR. D. (aside). 
People will think that before you are a month older ! 

MID. 

Suppose, again, that my friend died ? 

dr. d. (aside). 
He will die ! 

MID. 

And suppose I was absent from you at the time ? 

dr. d. (aside). 
You will be absent to a dead certainty ! 

MID. 

In that case, people, hearing of a Mrs. Armadale, might think 
you were Allan's widow. 



MISS GWILT. 39 

dr. D. {aside). 
And, in that case, she might claim the widow's income, and 
I might take half of it. I couldn't have described my own con- 
spiracy in plainer terms ! 

miss g. {to Mid.). 
Say no more. I see that it is necessary. I consent. (Mid. 

gratefully kisses her hand.) 

DR. D. {cheerfully). 
Bless you, my children ! What a comfort it is when lovers 
and parents understand each other! {To Miss G.) Is there 
anyone in the reading-room ? 

MISS G. 

No one. 

dr. d. {aside). 
Now for Manuel ! 

(He enters the reading-room.) 

MISS G. {tO MlD.). 

Excuse me one moment ! {She follows the Doctor noise- 
lessly. When he enters the reading-room, and turns to shut the 
door, he finds it already closed, and Miss G. confronting him. 
Miss- G. addresses the Doctor with suppressed agitation.) You 
have forced me into marrying him ! 

DR. D. 

Forced you into marrying the man you love ! 

Miss G. {in low, awestruck tones). 
Remember what I told you. My mother— the quarrel— the 
two brothers. Midwinter's father was one of them, and I only 
know it now. I'm afraid ! I'm afraid ! 

DR. D. 

Superstition ? In a cultivated mind like yours ? My child, 
I am astonished at you ! 

MISS G. 

It's more than superstition, Doctor. I look back at my own 
past life — the guilty, miserable past. Midwinter knows nothing 
of it ; Midwinter loves me. I am vilely deceiving him ! 

DR. D. 

Answer me one question. Have you, or have you not, 
repented the past ? 

MISS G. 

Sincerely, bitterly, Heaven knows ! 

DR. D. 

A fault sincerely repented is a fault expunged from your life. 
Go back to Midwinter and make him happy ! 



40 MISS GWILT. 

MISS G. 

Oh, Doctor! Doctor! I wish I could change consciences 
with you / 

{She leaves the reading-room, closing the door after her, and rejoins 
Midwinter. Dr. D. seats himself at the table, and begins to 
write.) 

mid. {to Miss G.). 
My darling ! we are alone at last. 

miss g. {sadly). 
Have you no doubt of the future ? 

mid. {putting his arm round her). 
Not the shadow of a doubt when I look at you, 

{He takes her to a chair, and seats himself by her, with his arm 
round her. They talk in whispers. Dr. D. speaks in the next 
room.) 

DR. D. 

Manuel's instructions. {He reads to himself.) " You are to 
go to Naples, and you are to wait there for the appearance of an 
English gentleman cruising in his yacht. The gentleman's 
name is Armadale. You are to become acquainted with him, 
you are to make yourself indispensable to him, and you are to 
wait further instructions." {He pauses and speaks.) Suppose 
there should be no time for further instructions ? Suppose I 
risk it, and give Manuel a hint ? {He writes, and repeats what he 
writes.) " Mr. Armadale is fond of the sea. The sea is the 
fertile cause of accidents. If Mr. Armadale should unfortunately 
meet with an accident " — {he speaks the next words with a strong 
emphasis on them) — " move heaven and earth to save his precious 
life." {He folds the paper, and rises.) That will do. Manuel 
will understand what " saving his precious life" means. Where 
is he now ? I told him to wait among the trees, in case I wanted 
him. {He goes to the window and waves his handkerchief. Mid 
speaks in the next room.) 

mid. 

Say you love me ! 

miss g. {smiling). 

Again ? 

MID. 

Again and again ! 

miss g. {passionately). 
I love you ! 

DR. D. {at the reading-room window, in an under tone). 
Manuel ! 

manuel {speaking softly outside). 
Here 



MISS GWILT. 41 

(The next moment he appears at the window of the reading-room, 
entering from the right-hand side of the stage. He is dressed in a 
shabby pilot-coat buttoned up to the throat ; he wears old blue 
trousers, with tarnished gold lace down the seam; a sailor's hat 
on his head. Shabby as he is, he still retains the bearing of a 
gentleman. It is essential that he should not appear to the audience 
totally unworthy of Miss Gwilt's regard. The scene between 
the two is played throughout in an under tone.) 

dr. d. (to Manuel). 
Stay where you are in case of accidents. (He glances at the 
partition door.) And speak low. We are not alone. 

manuel (in a foreign accent). 
You want my services ? 

DR. D. 

Yes. 

MANUEL. 

And you pay me ? 

DR. D. 

Double what I promised you in London, if you are bold 
enough to do what I tell you. 

MANUEL. 

Bold enough ? Is it serious, then ? 

DR. D. 

Most serious ! (He gives Manuel the paper.) There are 
your instructions, so far. 

(Manuel, as he takes the paper, starts, looks over his left shoulder, 
and hurriedly climbs in at the window.) 

dr. D. (alarmed). 
What are you about ? 

MANUEL. 

Do you want me to be seen ? Somebody outside ! Some- 
body coming this way ! 

DR. D. 

Hush ! there are people in the next room. Read your in- 
structions. Tell me if you understand them. 

(He lifts the curtain over the reading-room door, and looks in. 
Manuel opens the paper, looks over it, and speaks to Dr. D., 
who is still watching through the window^) 

MANUEL. 

One word about this. (He reads from the instructions.) "The 
sea is the fertile cause of accidents. If Mr. Armadale should 
unfortunately meet with an accident, move heaven and earth to 
save his precious life." Does " save his precious life " mean, 
by the rule of contraries, " drown him like a dog " ? (Dk. D. 



42 MISS GWILT. 

looks at him.) Thank you. I see what it means in your face. 
Where is Mr. Armadale now ? 

(Allan appears at the fishing-house door. The ringing of a bell is 
heard faintly in the distance.) 

dr. d. (pointing through the window). 
There! 

(Manuel attempts to look through the window. Dr. D. holds him 
back until Allan appears more plainly in view.) 

allan {to Miss G. and Midwinter). 
The dinner-bell, my good friends ! Midwinter, take Miss 
Gwilt to the house. I will follow with the Doctor. 

(Midwinter and Miss Gwilt rise and go to the door. Allan 
advances, and looks about him for Dr. D.) 

dr. d. (to Manuel, pointing out Allan). 
Now look at him ! 

manuel (looking). 
Is that the man ? 

dr. d. (dropping the window curtain). 
Yes! 

allan (calling to Mid. and Miss G.). 
I say ! what has become of the Doctor ? 

MISS G. 

The Doctor is writing letters in the reading-room. 

(Miss G. and Mid. disappear. Allan crosses to the partition door, 
and knocks.) 

ALLAN. 

Doctor ! 

dr. d. (to Manuel, who turns in terror to the back window). 

Wait here till the coast is clear. (He opens the partition door, 
closes it behind him, and blandly confronts Allan.) Yes, Mr- 
Armadale ? 

ALLAN. 

Dinner is ready, Doctor. Come and make one of us. Come 
and see my new house. 

DR. D. (cordially). 
With the greatest pleasure, my dear sir ! ( With a loio bow, 
leaving Allan to pass out first.) After you, Mr. Armadale I 

ALLAN. 

Nonsense ! You go first. 

DR. D. 

I couldn't think of it. 



MISS GWILT. 43 

ALLAN. 

Together, then ? Will that do for you ? 

DR. D. 

Delighted, I am sure ! Shall we say arm in arm ? {He offers 
his arm to Allan.) 

ALLAN. 

Oh ! by all means ! Arm in arm ! 

{They go out together by the fishing-house door. Manuel remains 
listening at the partition door.) 



THE END OF THE SECOND ACT. 



44 MISS GWILT. 



ACT III.— The Yacht. 

Scene. — The sitting-room of Midwinter's lodgings in Naples. At 
the hack of the stage in the centre a large open window of French 
construction, supposed to look out on the sea. Nothing is seen 
by the audience through the window but a cloudless blue sky, 
and the extreme horizon of the sea. A door at the side, on the 
right, leading into Miss Gwilt's (Mrs. Midwinter's) room. 
A door opposite on the left, through which the other characters 
enter and leave the stage. The room is large and sparely 
furnished in the Italian manner. The ceiling is painted with 
Cupids and allegorical figures. The floor is covered with 
matting. Grimy old pictures hang on the walls. Two statues 
on pedestals, and two antique chairs, stand on either side of the 
window, which must have no curtains. An old-fashioned sofa 
near the front of the stage on the right. On the left, a large 
empty fireplace to burn wood when used. On one side of it a 
piano. Above it a heavy marble mantelpiece, with ancient 
vases and a large clock. A mirror above the clock, in a faded 
Renaissance frame. At the front of the stage, on the left, a 
small table and two easy chairs of more modern construction 
than the rest of the furniture. A waste-paper basket under 
the table, with old neivspapers crammed into it. 

At the rise of the curtain Midwinter is discovered at the 
table on the left, writing. His wife is seated at his side with an 
Italian newspaper in her hand. Allan, dressed in yachting 
costume, lies at full length upon the large sofa on the right, 
smoking a cigar. The air oj the Neapolitan " Tarantella " is 
heard outside the window, in the street beneath, the music 
gradually diminishing in tone until all sound of it is lost in the 
distance. 

Six weeks are supposed to have elapsed between the Second 
Act and the Third. 

midwinter {to his Wife). 
I wish these cheerful Neapolitan people were not quite so 
fond of their national melodies ! It is no easy task, Lydia, to 
write news for the English public with that musical accompani- 
ment in the street. 

miss g. 
Don't write any more, love ! You have done nothing but 
work, work, work, for the last three days. The newspaper is 



MISS GWILT. 45 

making a perfect slave of you. (Midwinter smiles, and looks up 
from his writing.) 

MID. 

I think I have done at last. Stop ! Have I included my 
extracts from the Italian newspapers ? 

MISS G. 

Long since ! The Italian newspapers are all in the waste- 
paper basket. 

MID. 

What do I see in your hand, my dear ? 

MISS G. 

I declare I had forgotten it, though it is in my hand ! 
{Beading the title.) " The Leghorn Gazette." Pah ! the sight of 
it is quite enough, and the smell of it is perfectly odious ! (She 
stoops to throw the paper into the basket.) 

MID. 

Stop ! stop ! I must look through it first. 

miss G. (eagerly). 
Let me look through it for you ! I will read the whole news- 
paper if you wish it. 

MID. 

There is not the least necessity, my dear, to read half of it. I 
always put a mark in ink against the passages that I may want to 
quote. If you see an ink-line on the margin anywhere, read me 
the marked paragraph. 

miss G. {looking over the first page of the paper). 
No ink lines so far. (Folding back the first page, and looking 
at the second.) Here is a marked passage ! Dear me, what a 
strange story of the loss of a ship ! 

allan (from the sofa). 
A ship ! That interests me. Read it in English, Mrs. Mid- 
winter. I have learnt to swear in Italian, and there my acquaint- 
ance with the language ends. 

miss g. (to Mid.). 
Do you wish me to translate it ? 

mid. 
Certainly, my love, if Allan wishes it. 

miss G. (translating from the newspaper, aloud). 
" Foundering of the brig ' Speranza ' off the coast at Leghorn. 
— An extraordinary confession has been made in connection 



46 MISS GWILT. 

with the loss of this vessel by one of the crew. The man 
gave himself up to the police yesterday. He declares that the 
brig was intentionally sunk off the coast on a dark night by 
boring holes in the bottom of the vessel. And he adds that the 
captain was locked into his cabin when the crew took to the 
boats, and was purposely left to drown in the brig. The obj ect of this 
atrocity appears to have been plunder. The captain was dis- 
covered to be in possession of a sum of money of which he had 
privately taken charge, and the mate and crew agreed to rob and 
murder him in the manner described. Further particulars will 
appear in our next number." 

ALLAN. 

Infernal scoundrels ! If you write about them, Midwinter, 
take a high moral tone. Say you hope they will all be hanged ! 

MID. 

Let us be sure, Allan, that they deserve hanging first. We 
will wait and see what appears in the next number. (To his 
Wife.) Fold the paper, Lydia, with the marked passage upper- 
most, and put it here by my desk. {He rises and crosses to Allan, 
who gets up and meets him. Miss G. puts Mid.'s writing materials 
in order.) 

ALLAN (to Mid.). 

I have got some news for you. Don't be alarmed — it isn't 
news for the English papers. I have settled to hire the new 
yacht, and somehow or other I have picked up a crew. It has 
been hard work to get the vessel ready for sea. 

MID. 

Ready for sea ! I thought the repairs were not even begun 
yet. 

(Miss G. leaves the writing-table and approaches Allan and 

Mid.) 

allan (putting his hand on Midwinter's shoulder). 
My dear fellow, you are confusing the crazy little vessel I 
sailed in from England, and sent back again, with the fine new 
yacht that I hired a week since in the port of Naples. 

miss g. {putting Allan's hand off Midwinter's shoulder). 
When you have quite done with him, Mr. Armadale, perhaps 
you will allow me to say a word ? 

mid. {smiling at her petulance). 
My dear Lydia ! 

ALLAN 

Mrs. Midwinter does'nt love me. Never mind. Miss Milroy 



MISS GWILT. 47 

does. {To Miss G.) Do you believe in dreams ? I dreamt of 
Miss Milroy last night. 

miss G. {aside). 
He is always talking of Miss Milroy! (Allan returns to the 
sofa, whilst Miss G. continues to Mid.) What shall we do to- 
morrow ? 

MID. 

To-morrow? Let me see, to-morrow I must go to Capua. 

MISS G. 

Not without me ? 

MID. 

Of course not ! 

allan {from the sofa). 
What is going on at Capua ? 

MID. 

Excavations in the neighbourhood are going on. I have 
promised to send a report to the newspaper. {To his Wife.) We 
will go to-morrow, my dear, and sleep at Capua, and come back 
the next day. 

ALLAN. 

Ah ! that is just the sort of excursion Miss Milroy would like. 
I wish they could discover her set Capua I 



MISS G. 

Miss Milroy again/ {To Mid.) To-morrow let it be. 
(Whispering.) I want to give you a kiss. Get rid of Armadale. 

mid. (vjhispering back). 
Poor Allan ! Have some mercy on him. 

allan {from the sofa). 
How long have you been married, Midwinter ? 

Miss G. {answering for her husband). 
A month to-day, Mr. Armadale. 

ALLAN. 

When is it customary and proper for newly-married couples 
to leave off whispering in the presence of a third person ? 

mid. (laughing). 
Don't be severe, Allan ! I confess we deserve it. (Miss G. 
leaves him.) Are you going away ? 

miss g. 
I may as well look out the dress I shall want for to-morrow. 
{Whispering.) Leave him, and come and help me to pack. 

mid. 
As much packing as you like, if you will only give me time. 



48 MISS GWILT. 

I must post my letters, and I must ask at the office about con- 
veyances to Capua. ( Goes to the table and remains there, addressing 
and stamping his letters.) 

ALLAN (rising). 
Talking about posting letters, I sometimes think I will write 
to Mr. Darch, at Thorpe-Ambrose. 

mid. (surprised). 
Have you never written to him yet ? 

ALLAN. 

Not a line. I left Mr. Darch in charge of everything when 
I went to London with you and your wife. I got all my money 
in London, and there was nothing else to write about. There 
would be no reason for writing now if I wasn't so anxious for 
news of Miss Milroy. 

miss G. (aside). 

Again ! The idiot can talk of nothing else ! 

allan (to Miss G., noticing her impatience). 
I hope I am not in the way here, Mrs. Midwinter? You 
needn't stand on any ceremony with an old friend like me. I 
only want five minutes' quiet talk with your husband. 

miss g. (with sudden suspicion of Allan's motives). 
Does "quiet talk," Mr. Armadale, mean talk with him in 
private ? 

allan (speaking in his usual easy tone). 
Talk with him in private ? / have no secrets ! There is no 
mystery about me. 

(He turns away, entirely unconscious of having given offence, and 
walks towards the window.) 

MISS G. (aside). 
He has no secrets ? No mystery about him ? He looked me 
straight in the face when he said those words ! What do they 
mean? Has he been prying into my past life? (To Allan.) I 
leave you, Mr. Armadale, to your " quiet talk " with your friend. 

(She kisses her hand to Midwinter, and goes out on the right.) 

mid. (taking up his letters at the table). 
Are you for a walk to the post-office, Allan ? 

ALLAN. 

I am afraid I must go back to the yacht. 

mid. (stopping on his way out.) 
The yacht? What did you tell me just now about this new 
vessel of yours ? 



MI^S GWILT. 49 

ALLAN. 

I told you I had picked up a crew and got the vessel ready 
for sea. 

MID. 

An English crew ? 

ALLAN. 

No. The English crew were all paid off before I got to 
Naples. 

MID. 

You don't mean that you have engaged a Neapolitan crew ? 

ALLAN. 

I had no other choice. There were no Englishmen to be 
got. Don't you be afraid ! They are dirty, but they will do. I 
have had the help of a most invaluable fellow in picking them 
out. 

MID. 



A foreigner ? 

Yes. 

And a stranger ? 



ALLAN. 
MID. 



ALLAN. 

Yes. He was standing by, and he saw the trouble I had in 
making the men understand me. He offered to interpret. Of 
course I accepted the offer. " You seem to know a sailor when 
you see him," I said. "Are you used to the sea?" "I have 
been used to the sea half my life," says he. One thing led to 
another, and when he came on board the next day he brought 
his testimonials with him. What do you think ? It turned out 
that he had been a naval officer in his time ! 

MID. 

A naval officer reduced to offer his services to you as inter- 
preter ? 

ALLAN. 

Oh, the poor devil has had all sorts of misfortunes ! But 
poverty isn't a crime, you know, and testimonials speak for them- 
selves. I am going to try him as my sailing-master. 

MID. 

You are going to put a perfect stranger in command of your 
yacht ? 

ALLAN. 

Only on approval. I have been cautious, I can tell you ! I 
am going to try the yacht about the bay for a couple of days, just 
to get her trim before the cruise. If we suit each other, it is 
understood that I only engage the new sailing-master after that, 

D 



SO MISS GWILT. 

mid. {with sudden resolution). 
You said you were going to the yacht. I will go with you. 

ALLAN. 

That's right ! But I thought you had business of your own ? 

mid. {gravely). 
My business can wait. I want to satisfy myself that you are 
running no unnecessary risks. 

Allan {amused by his anxiety). 
Hadn't you better wrap me up in cotton wool, and put a 
glass case over me at once ? 

mid. {seriously). 
Allan ! do you remember the old times at Thorpe-Ambrose ? 

ALLAN. 

Of course I do ! 

MID. 

When you persuaded me to stay with you, and when I 
accepted all that your kindness offered, I had but one advantage 
to offer you in return — the devotion of my life. New interests 
have sprung up, new duties have claimed me, since that time. 
But what I promised my friend then I promised him for life. 
Come to the yacht ! 

ALLAN. 

What a good fellow you are ! 

MID. 

Shall we find the sailing-master on board ? 

ALLAN. 

Yes, unless we miss him in the street. I told him to call here 
if he wanted to see me before I got back to the vessel. 

MID. 

You told him to call here ! 

ALLAN. 

My dear fellow, he is presentable anywhere, though he is 
rather poorly dressed. He was at the Opera last night, and he 
saw you and your wife in your box. He did nothing all the 
evening but look at Mrs. Midwinter. Even you must admit that 
he is a man of taste after that ! 

mid. {a little impatiently). 
Did you appoint a time with him ? 

ALLAN. 

No. 

MID. 

Let us take our chance then of finding him on board. 



MISS GWILT. 5* 

{Enter Miss G. from her room. She stands for a moment at her 
own door observing Mid. and Allan.) 

allan (whispering to Mid.). 
Your wife is jealous of me already. Don't tell her you are 
coming on board the yacht. 

miss g. (aside, looking at Allan). 
Whispering to my husband ! (Advancing and addressing 
Mid.) I thought, love, you were going to ask about the con- 
veyances to Capua ? 

MID. 

I am going, my dear, I am going. 

MISS G. 

Does Mr. Armadale accompany you ? 

ALLAN. 

I am going on board the yacht. 

miss g. (to Mid.). 
You will come back soon ? 

MID. 

In half an hour — in less, if I can manage it. (He kisses her.) 
Now, Allan ! ( They go out together on the left.) 

miss G. (alone). 
What has Armadale been saying about me behind my back ? 
Nothing, or I should have seen it in my husband's face. And 
yet ! and yet ! (She seats herself and pauses, thinking.) Oh, me ! 
is the blessed peace of mind that some women know, never to 
be mine again ? I have tried so hard to be worthy of my hus- 
band ! I have loved, honoured, and obeyed him ! I have done 
all but confess to him the miserable story of the past ! (She rises, 
and paces backwards and forwards impatiently.) Why does the kiss 
he has left on my lips burn me with the guilty sense of my own 
deceit ? One fault — committed when I was so innocent and so 
young ; repented so bitterly and so truly — and it pursues me like 
the vengeance of heaven ! Any words may tell my husband 
how he has been deceived. No words can tell him how he is 
loved ! I mustn't think of it ! I mustn't think of it ! (She 
approaches the sofa, and impatiently brushes away the ashes left by 
Allan's cigar.) Armadale's filthy cigar. How I hate him ! 
how I hate him ! (She looks round the room wearily.) What can 
I do to take me out of myself? I'll play. (As she seats herself 
at the piano a man's voice is heard from the street outside, singing the 
opening bars of the serenade in " Don Pasquale," then pausing for a 
moment. Miss G. speaks during the pause.) Music again in the 
street ! The opera we heard last night ! (The voice resumes and 
pauses again. Miss G. rises in sudden terror.) The voice sounds 

D 2 



52 MISS GWILT. 

familiar to me ! There is something in it I seem to know ! 
(With a gesture of horror.) Oh, no, no — impossible! Til play — 
I'll play. (She goes back to the piano, stops, suddenly rushes to the 
window, looks out, and returns.) My fancy is playing me strange 
tricks to-day. Some idle fellow singing as he went by ; and I 

half thought it was (She stops, shuddering.) His very name 

chokes me ! 

(Enter Louisa on the left.) 

LOUISA. 

There is somebody below, ma'am, who wants to see you. 

MISS G. 

A lady or a gentleman ? 

LOUISA. 

A gentleman, I suppose. 

MISS G. 

You suppose ? 

LOUISA. 

A gentleman — not very well dressed. 

MISS G. 

Did he ask for me by name ? 

LOUISA. 

He asked first for Mr. Armadale, and then he asked for the 
lady of the house. 

Miss G. (aside). 
Suspense is worse than the worst certainty. (To Louisa.) 
Show him in. 

(Louisa retires, holds the door open from vjithin, and closes it after 

the visitor.) 
(Enter Captain Manuel.) 
miss G. (starting back with a cry). 
Manuel ! 

MANUEL (coolly). 

Certainly. I announced myself to you, musically, in the 
street. What are you surprised at ? 

MISS G. 

Here ? In my husband's house ? (She falls into a chair.) 
Oh, this is too horrible ! 

MANUEL. 

What reception is this of a man once dear to you? An 
officer in the Brazilian Navy ! A patriot in exile ! A gentleman 
under a cloud ! Is this my welcome ? After all I have suffered 
too ? Shameful ! shameful ! 

MISS G. 

Suffered ! He talks of what he has suffered, and talks of it 
before me ! 



MISS GWILT. 53 

MANUEL. 

Certainly before you. I invite the first person who passes in 
the street to look at me and to look at you, and then to say which 
has suffered most ! You are handsomer than ever, you are 
beautifully dressed, you are living in superb apartments, you 
have got {seating himself on a chair by the table on which the 
newspaper lies) one of the most heavenly chairs I ever sat in. 
So much for you. Now look at me ! I have got hollows in my 
cheeks, I have got tubercles on my lungs, I am without linen — do 
you hear that ? an officer and a patriot with nothing under this 
(striking his breast, and melting into tears) but a morsel of flannel, 
an inflamed mucous membrane, and a broken heart. And there 
she sits, and doesn't pity me ! 

MISS G. 

What can I say ? What can I do ? Base even as I knew 
him to be, he is doubly degraded since I saw him last ! (To 
Manuel, with a shudder of disgust.) Why do you come here ? 
I insist on knowing. 

MANUEL. 

I come here by appointment, to see Mr. Armadale. 

miss G. (amazed and terrified). 
What ! you and Armadale know each other ? 

MANUEL. 

Know each other ? I look on Mr. Armadale as my rich 
brother. I am already sailing-master of his yacht. 

miss G. {starting to her feet in horror). 
I am a lost woman ! Armadale and my husband have gone 
different ways this morning. They will be together again before 
the day is out. What may this wretch not have told Armadale ? 
What may Armadale not tell my husband ? (She turns furiously 
on Manuel.) Is it money you want ? Have you come here to 
sell me your silence if I am rich, to betray me if I am poor ? 
You have ! I see it in your face ! 

MANUEL. 

Pardon me ! you see nothing but pulmonary consumption in 
my face. 

MISS G. 

Have you told Armadale ? 

MANUEL. 

About what ? 

MISS G. 

About the past time — the time when I was mad enough to 
listen to you, to believe in you, to love you. (To herself.) That 
cruel smile answers me, he has spoken ! It was not for nothing 



54- MISS GWILT. 

that I suspected Armadale this morning. (To Manuel.) Don't 
speak to me, don't drive me mad, give me time to think I 

MANUEL. 

With the greatest pleasure. (He walks aside.) I want time 
to think myself. I have not said one word about the past time 
to Armadale — I should have been a born idiot to do so. For his 
friend's sake he would have kicked me out of his yacht. (He 
looks round at Miss G.) Shall I tell her I have said nothing ? 
Bah ! quite useless ! She would not believe me on my oath. 
No ! no ! I shall leave her in her delusion. With this good 
result. She will stick at no sacrifice to keep Armadale and her 
husband apart! (To Miss G.) Have you done thinking, my 
dear ? I have no concealments from you. I confess it. In the 
course of conversation I have told Mr. Armadale about you and 
about me. 

miss G. (advancing on him furiously). 

Why did you tell him ? In your own vile interests why did 
you betray me to him ? 

MANUEL. 

Don't you see why ? Did I not hear you say just now that 
Armadale and your husband might be together before the day was 
out ? I speculate on that ! It rests with you to part those two 
gentlemen before the day is out. 

miss g. (bewildered). 
It rests with me ? 

MANUEL. 

I am Armadale's sailing-master, and the yacht is ready for sea. 

miss G. (seizing the idea). 
Oh ! !! 

MANUEL. 

The trial trip is to be for two days at least. Use your 
influence over your husband — who knows your influence, you 
tigress in petticoats, better than I do ? Begone with your husband 
before Armadale comes back ! The wind is fair. One word from 
me, and we are off with Armadale on board ! 

miss g. (wildly). 
You want money, and I have got none ! 

manuel (pointing to the jewels she wears). 
Does a throat like yours want a brooch to set it off? You 
have a handsome bracelet there. I condemn that handsome 
bracelet ! It distracts my attention from the prettiest wrist in 
the world ! 

miss g. (piteously). 
They are my husband's keepsakes ! 



MISS GWILT. 55 

MANUEL. 

If Armadale and your husband get together later in the day, 
and get talking about me, what sort of keepsakes will they be 
then ? 

miss G. (throwing her brooch and bracelet at him). 

Take them ! 

manuel (catching them, and uttering a cry of pahi). 
The devil take you and your temper! The pin of your 
brooch has pricked my thumb ! (Looking at his right hand thumb 
in serious alarm) Oh, heavens, I am bleeding ! Slight injuries 
to people's thumbs have been known to end in lockjaw. Look 
at it! 

miss G. (to herself). 
I once trusted this abject wretch ! 

MANUEL. 

You have thrown your miserable jewels at me as if I was a 
dog ; you have wounded my feelings as well as my thumb. I 
insist on an apology — in the form of something else ! 

miss g. 
If I fetch my necklace, will it release me from the sight of 
you? 

MANUEL. 

Suppose you try. (Miss G. goes into her room. Manuel puts 
the jewels into his pocket, pauses, feeling in his pocket, produces and 
opens a letter?) What is this ? More instructions from Doctor 
Downward ! I am here in my own little interests. Has the 
Doctor any reason to complain of me for that ? Let us see. (He 
reads?) " Telegraph to me if the accident has happened at sea, 
and if that precious life has not been saved. One word — 
* Drowned ' — will be enough. Keep your eye on Midwinter 
and his wife—and count on your reward from me." It is easy 
enough for the Doctor to sit at home and write about Mr. 
Armadale's " precious life." But it is not so easy to make the 
accident that kills him. There is such a thing as capital punish- 
ment still left — in spite of the philanthropists. And my life is not 
to be trifled with ! (Puts bach the letter, and looks impatiently 
towards Miss Gwilt's door.) What a time she is ! I have no 
patience with a woman who does'nt know where she puts her 
things ! (He takes up the newspaper from the table.) The Leghorn 
Gazette? Any news from Leghorn? What is this paragraph 
marked in ink ? " Foundering of the brig Speranza f " (He reads 
the paragraph eagerly, and starts to his feet.) Here is the accident, 
ready made to my hands ! Ten minutes work at sea to-night, 
will let the water into the yacht. Five minutes more, and the 
boat may be lowered. A turn of my hand, and Armadale will be 
locked into his cabin. (He walks to and fro, fanning himself with the 



56 MISS GWILT. 

newspaper.) I am in a fever when I think of it ! Another vessel 
will spring a leak to-night, and another owner will be drowned 
on board ! 

(Miss G. re-enters with the necklace. Manuel, who has kept the 
newspaper in his hand thus far, now puts it hack on the table.) 

miss G. {handing him the necklace). 
Leave me. Stop ! How do I know, now you have got my 
jewels ? 

MANUEL. 

That I shall perform my part of the bargain ? Look out of 
your window there, with your opera-glass in your hand. 

miss G. 
What do you mean ? 

MANUEL. 

Your window looks on the sea. When the yacht sails you 
will hear a gun fire. When you hear the gun, go to your window. 
I shall be at the helm^-and I will take care that you see Armadale 
on board. Does that satisfy you ? 

MISS G. 

Yes. 

MANUEL. 

Have you anything more to say to me ? Suppose Armadale 
finds his way to your husband in the future ? 

MISS G. 

He won't find his way to my husband. I shall take care 
to keep them apart. 

MANUEL. 

Chance may bring them together in spite of your care. Would 
it be worth something more if I brought you news ? 

MISS G. 

What news ? 

MANUEL. 

Suppose an accident happened to Mr. Armadale ? Ah, my 
tigress, can you prevent an accident ? 

MISS G. 

You villain ! Are you tempting me to a crime ? 

MANUEL. 

Is a man in my state of health capable of committing a crime ? 
Vessels have sprung leaks before now. Owners of vessels have 
sometimes been drowned by accident on board. Think of it, 
my dear. (Miss G. recoils from him.) Hush ! I hear footsteps 
on the stairs ! 

{Enter Midwinter and Allan on the left.) 



MISS GWILT. 57 

MISS G, 

My husband ! and Armadale with him 

manuel (aside, to her). 
Leave it to me ! 

ALLAN. 

Here is the Captain, after all ! 

mid. (distrustfully). 
We have been looking for you, Captain Manuel. 

miss G. (aside, glancing in terror at Mid.). 
There is a change in his voice ! 

manuel (to Mid.). 
The servant showed me in, Sir, supposing Mr. Armadale to 
be here. This lady was so polite as to say that I might wait 
a few minutes on the chance of his coming back. 
(Midwinter, with his eyes fixed distrustfully on Manuel, acknow- 
ledges the explanation by a formal bow.) 

miss g. (aside, stealing another look at Mid.). 
He doesn't even look at me ! 

ALLAN. 

All right, captain — all right ! How is the wind ? 

(He takes Manuel aside up the stage. Mid. looks anxiously after 

them.) 

Miss G. (aside). 
Armadale has told him ! I shall die at his feet ! 

mid. (remembering his wife, and turning to her). 
I beg your pardon, my love. How pale you look ! 

allan (coming down again). 
Midwinter ! 

miss G. (aside, with a sigh of relief). 
Safe — so far ! 

ALLAN (to Mid.). 
Famous news ! the wind is fair, and the yacht is ready to 
sail. 

MID. 

One moment, Allan. (Turning to his wife.) You are not ill, 
Lydia, are you ? 

MISS G. 

No— no ! not ill ! A little faint, that's all. I don't think 
Naples agrees with me. 

MID. 

We will leave Naples next week. Go to your own room, my 
darling, and rest a little. 



58 MISS GWILT. 

ALLAN {stopping Miss G. as she turns to go). 
Good bye, Mrs. Midwinter, for two days. 

MISS G. 

A pleasant voyage, Mr. Armadale. {Aside.) How he looked 
at me when he said " for two days ! " {She goes into her own 
room.) 

ALLAN. 

I wish you were coming with us, Midwinter ; but I must not 
ask a newly-married man to part from his wife. {To Manuel.) 
If the wind holds we ought to be clear of the bay before sunset. 
Between this and to-morrow, captain, I expect you to make the 
yacht do great things. 

MANUEL. 

Between this and to-morrow, Mr. Armadale, I will make the 
yacht do things she has never done yet. 

MID. 

May I ask how you know what the vessel will do before 
you have been to sea in her ? 

MANUEL. 

It is a habit of mine, sir, to look into the future. 

ALLAN. 

Is there a moon to-night ? 

MANUEL. 

No. 

ALLAN. 

We must keep a bright look-out. Don't scruple to wake me 
if anything happens. 

MANUEL. 

If anything happens, Mr. Armadale, you may depend on my 
coming myself to your cabin door. 

mid. (to Manuel). 
Have you ever been employed as a sailing-master before ? 

MANUEL. 

Never. 

MID. 

You were formerly, I think, an officer in the Brazilian Navy ? 

MANUEL. 

A captain in the Brazilian Navy, if you please. 

MID. 

Will you excuse me if I ask whether you have preserved your 
captain's commission ? 

MANUEL. 

Poverty must learn, sir, to excuse everything. I know that 



MISS GWILT. 59 

my shabby coat is against me. I know that the world judges 
by outward appearance. 

MID. 

Stop a minute, Captain Manuel. Considering that we have 
all got eyes in our heads, and that the object of eyes is to see, 
it would be rather wonderful if we did not judge by outward 
appearances — at any rate to begin with. As to your coat, you 
must permit me to say that there are men who might be dressed 
in the finest broadcloth that ever loom produced, and whom I 
would not trust with sixpence for all that. 

allan {looking at Mid. in surprise). 
He's out of temper ! What for, I wonder ? (To Manuel.) 
This gentleman is my best and dearest friend. You won't object 
to show him your testimonials, I am sure ? 

MANUEL. 

Show ! I request permission, sir, to overwhelm, your friend 
with my testimonials. 

ALLAN. 

All right ! all right ! (Aside.) He's losing his temper now ! 

MANUEL (producing a bundle of papers tied with dirty ribbon, and 
addressing Mid. with the air of an injured man). 
My testimonials ! (Holding up the ribbon and putting it to his 
lips.) You may think this shabby. It is indescribably precious 
to me — it once bound a woman's hair. Ha ! what memories ! 
I wipe away a tear, and hand you my captain's commission. 
(Mid. carefully examines the commission.) 

allan (looking at manuel). 
What fun the fellow is ! I wonder Midwinter can keep his 
countenance ! 

manuel (to Mid.), 
I wait, sir, for your objections. I pause, with an immovable 
sense of what is due to myself. 

mid. (handing back the commission). 
The commission is regular — I can make no objection to it. 

manuel (to Allan). 
Observe the effect of document Number One ! Now for 
document Number Two. (He hands it to Mid.) Testimonial of 
my capacity. Certificate from the Naval Bureau that I sub- 
mitted to my lieutenant's examination and triumphed. I pause 
for the second time ! 

mid. (handing the paper back after examination). 
For the second time, I have no objection to make. 

MANUEL. 

You have nothing more to say ? 



60 MISS GWILT. 

MID. 

Nothing. 

MANUEL. 

And this is English justice ! One of us must blush for the 
other. Let it be me ! (To Allan.) Mr. Armadale, the wind is 
fair, and your yacht awaits you ready for sea. (He withdraws to 
the door.) 

allan (aside). 

The sooner I part them the better. (Approaching Midwinter, 
and gaily offering his hand.) Good-bye, messmate, for a couple of 
days. The wind is waiting for us, and you have seen the captain's 
papers. (He takes up his hat, and straps his opera-glass over his 
shoulder.) 

MID. 

Wait a minute — wait! (Aside.) Stolen or forged, the fellow's 
papers are beyond dispute. What am I to do ? 

Manuel (from the door). 
Do you sail to-day, Mr. Armadale, with the breeze, or do you 
wait in port for a calm ? 

allan (to Mid.). 
Good-bye ! 

MID. 

Stop ! I'll go down to the port and see you off. 

ALLAN. 

Bravo ! come along ! 

MID. 

I'll follow you in five minutes. Mind you don't sail before 
you see me. 

ALLAN. 

All right ! Now, captain ! 

(He goes out on the left.) 

manuel (bowing ceremoniously to Midwinter). 
I have the honour, Sir, of wishing you a good morning, and a 
keener sense of human merit. (He goes out after Allan.) 

mid. (alone). 
In the name of heaven what am I to do ? Allan has money 
with him — a large sum of money — and I saw him show it before 
two of the men in the cabin. If ever there were a set of ruffians 
on board a ship those ruffians are Allan's crew. If ever I saw a 
man with scoundrel written on his face, Allan's sailing-master is 
that man. My friend is going blindfold into danger, and going 
without Me ! (A pause.) No ! not without Me — cost what itmay ! 
(Another pause.) Oh, unsearchable Providence ! has the time of 
atonement come at last ? Am I— by saving Allan — to expiate 



MISS GWILT. 



6r 



my father's crime? (Miss G. opens the door of her room and looks 
in.) My wife ! what am I to say to her ? 

MISS G. 

Has Mr. Armadale gone ? 

mid. (struggling to compose himself ). 
Yes. 

miss G. {timidly). 
Did he go to the office with you ? 

mid. {absently). 
The office ? 

MISS G. 

The diligence office for Capua ? 

mid. {aside). 
I have got my excuse ! {To his wife.) No, no ! Allan and 
I only met here at the door. 

miss g. 
Has anything happened ? You look 

mid. {assuming cheerfulness). 
I look embarrassed, don't I? I have bad news for you, 
Lydia ; I must go to Capua alone. 

MISS G. 

Alone ? 

MID. 

I have inquired about the accommodation. There is no 
hotel in which an English lady could pass the night. 

MISS G. 

Is that all ? I care for no discomfort, darling, when I am 
with you. (Mid. looks uneasily at his watch.) Why do you look 
at your watch ? 

MID. 

If I go at once I shall catch the second Diligence, and I 
shall be all the sooner back again with you. 

MISS G. 

No, no ! I can't let you go without me ! I am anxious — I 
am ill ! Naples is killing me. Let us leave it to-morrow, and 
never see it again ! 

MID. 

I will be back in time to start for Rome to-morrow night. 
You can settle everything for me before I return. {He turns away 
to his writing-table, and speaks aside.) Allan will be tired of wait- 
ing for me. {Re-opens a drawer, takes out a key, and gives it to his 
wife.) Here is the key of my desk. The bills are in it, the 
money is in it. Courage, my darling ! Good-bye ! 



62 MISS GWILT. 

miss G. (with her arms round his neck). 

Oh, don't go without me ! — don't go without me ! 

mid. (disengaging himself, and placing her on a seat). 

Till to-morrow, Lydia — only till to-morrow ! (He hurries out 
on the left.) 

Miss G. (rising, and calling after him). 

Come back ! I want to speak to you. He has gone ! Is 
there a purpose in his leaving me ? Oh, no, no ! I saw his eyes 
moisten, I felt his dear arms trembling round me when he said 
good-bye! Miserable creature that I am to suspect him of 
deceiving me ! It's Armadale's fault ! It is Armadale who 
makes me suspect my husband. Has he sailed in his yacht? 
No : I have not heard the gun fire yet. Shall we be away 
before he comes back ? Yes ; we start for Rome to-morrow 
night. (A pause.) It seems a strange time of day to be going 
to Capua ! I wonder what time the Diligence leaves ? Perhaps 
he may miss it— perhaps he may be obliged to come back. 
(She rings the bell. Louisa enters on the left.) I want you to get 
me some information. Can you find out when the Diligence goes 
to Capua? 

LOUISA. 

The landlord is downstairs, ma'am. Perhaps he may know. 
MISS g. 
Ask the landlord. (Louisa goes out.) Can my husband have 

deceived me ? Has he seen some woman ? Absurd ! I 

am the one woman in the world to him ! No one divides him 
with me but his friend — his hateful friend ! (She accidentally dis- 
arranges some of the things on the table.) How awkward I am ! I 
must make his table tidy again. (Enter Louisa.) 

LOUISA. 

The Diligence to Capua, ma'am, goes at six in the morning. 

Miss G. (impatiently). 
You have mistaken me ! I want to know about the 
Diligence in the afternoon. 

LOUISA. 

There is only one, ma'am — the Diligence that goes in the 
morning. 

MISS G. 

The landlord must be wrong ! 

LOUISA. 

He spoke very positively, ma'am. 

MISS G. 

That will do. (Louisa goes out.) What should the landlord 
know about it ? Of course the landlord is wrong ! Those 
positive people generally are wrong. I wonder where the 
Diligence office is ? What ! distrusting him again ? I'll go and 



MISS GWILT. 63 

employ myself. I'll go and pack up. (She rises and checks 
herself.) No ! I must put his table right first. What did he 
tell me about this newspaper? He said I was to put it by 
in his desk, with the ink mark uppermost. (Looks for the ink. 
mark, and finds it.) What is this on the margin ? a stain of blood ? 
(Looking at it closer, more incuriosity than in alarm.) It looks like 
a finger-mark in blood. Manuel ! I remember my brooch 
pricked him ! The sight of it sickens me. I'll cut it out with 
my scissors. What was the wretch reading when he stained 
the paper in this way ? " Foundering of the brig Speranza." 
(A pause. She has hitherto shown curiosity and annoyance, but no 
alarm. The newspaper now drops from her hand, and the first 
suspicion of the truth dawn? on her.) Am I dreaming? Am I 
mad? (A pause.) Was it after I saw him with the newspaper, 
when he spoke of vessels springing leaks and owners being 
drowned on board ? or was it before ? After ! (The whole 
truth bursts on her.) If Armadale sails, he sails to his death, 
and I am concerned in it ! (She rings the bell violently. Louisa 
enters with a note in her hand.) Get a carriage instantly ! I 
must go down to the port ! 

LOUISA. 

A messenger has just come from the port, ma'am, and has left 
this note for you. 

MISS G. (snatching the note from her). 
My husband's writing! (She reads.) "My own Love, — I 
cannot reconcile it to my conscience to deceive you, even for a 
good end. Allan has need of me. I have gone with Allan/' 
(The note falls from her hand. She stands for a moment struck 
speechless by the discovery.) 

LOUISA (looking at her in terror). 
My mistress ! my dear mistress ! (At the sound of the servants 
voice Miss G. suddenly rallies into action, and makes distractedly for 
the door. Louisa follows, and holds her back.) Where are you 
going, ma'am ? You have not got your shawl ; you have not got 
your hat ! 

miss g. (struggling with Louisa). 
Let me by I I shall kill you ! Let me by ! 

(The muffled report of a gun is heard from the sea. Miss G., with a 
cry of horror ', releases Louisa, and totters a few steps towards 
the window. At the same moment the topsails of a schooner-yacht 
— no other part of the vessel being visible — are seen gliding into 
view through the window.) 

miss g. (petrified with horror). 
The yacht ! the yacht ! 

THE END OF THE THIRD ACT. 



64 MISS GWILT. 



ACT IV. 

Scene. — The drawing-room of Miss Gwilt's lodgings in London. 
A door of entrance in the centre, at the back, by which visitors 
enter and go out. Other doors at the sides, right and left. 
The door on the right is supposed to lead into Miss Gwilt's 
room. The drawing-room is small and modestly furnished. 
Writing materials are placed on a side table. 

At the rise of the curtain the stage is vacant. A bell, from below, 
is heard to ring twice. Louisa enters by the door on the left. 

LOUISA. 

No peace for anybody in these London lodgings ! The door- 
bell is going, first for one lodger, and then for another, from 
morning to night. One ring for the first floor, two rings for the 
second, and so on up to the garret. This time it's somebody 
for us. (She opens the door at the back. A shop porter enters with 
a milliner's basket.) 

THE PORTER. 

Number twelve, Bearwood Buildings, second floor ? 

LOUISA. 

Quite right. That's here. 

the porter (opening his basket). 
Mourning bonnet and mourning mantle for a lady. Paid for 
at the time. Anything for the porter, Miss ? 

LOUISA. 

No. The shop charges quite enough, without paying the 
porter. (She places the bonnet and mantle on a chair.) Ah, my 
poor mistress ! so young and so nice-looking, and obliged to wear 
this horrid black ? 

THE PORTER. 

Come, I say, Miss ! — don't you abuse black, if you please ! 
It's the most becoming colour a lady can wear. 

LOUISA. 

What do you know about it ? 

THE PORTER. 

In our mourning warehouse, Miss, we all know about it. 
There's nothing like black — let your complexion be what it may ! 
If you're light, black sets you off. If you're dark, black's dark 
like you. Did you say there was nothing for the porter, Miss ? 






MISS GWILT. 65 

louisa {relenting). 
You are a very impudent man ! 

THE PORTER. 

And you are a very pretty girl ! And what's the natural con- 
sequence? {He kisses her in spite of her resistance. At the same 
moment Dr. Downward enters by the centre door. The Porter 
touches his hat, and goes out. Louisa appeals to the Doctor in 
great confusion.) 

LOUISA. 

I am not to blame, if you please, sir ? He's a low fellow. 
I shall complain to his master ! 

dr. d. {benevolently). 

My good girl, I am no saint. Young fellows will be young 
fellows — and stealing kisses is the most excusable of all forms of 
petty larceny. {Changing to a tone of the deepest sympathy.) How 
is your mistress ? 

LOUISA. 

Very poorly, sir. She hasn't had a night's unbroken rest 
since the dreadful news came to her at Naples. 

dr. d. 
You were at Naples with her, were you not ? 

LOUISA. 

Yes, sir. I was with her when the news came that the yacht 
was lost, with every soul on board. 

dr. d. 
Lost, with every soul on board ! I knew Mr. Armadale, 
I knew Mr. Midwinter. How inexpressibly shocking ! Both 
drowned ! 

LOUISA. 

Both drowned, sir. 

DR. D. 

Were any remains of the yacht found at sea ?' 

LOUISA. 

Yes, sir. They found some furniture floating about, and one 
of the yacht's boats upside down. 

DR. D. 
Were any bodies found near the upset boat? 

LOUISA. 

Only one, sir, and that owing to his having a lifebelt on. 
The doctor said he must have died of exhaustion. A storm 
came up unexpectedly that night, and the life was beat out of 
him, like, by the sea. 

DR. D. 

Was the body identified ? 



66 MISS GWILT. 

LOUISA. 

Yes, sir. It was the body of the sailing-master of the yacht. 
(She turns away, and re-arranges the bonnet and mantle on the 
chair.) 

dr. d. (aside). 

Most satisfactory ! Captain Manuel first does all I want of 
him, and then gets beaten to death in his lifebelt by the sea. 
Much obliged to the sea ! (To Louisa.) Has your mistress any 
plans for the future ? 

LOUISA. 

My mistress thinks of living quietly at Thorpe-Ambrose. (She 
approaches the side door on the right.) 

dr. d. (aside). 

I venture to predict she will find Thorpe-Ambrose too hot to 
hold her ! (To Louisa). Are you going to your mistress's room, 
my good girl ? 

LOUISA. 

Yes, sir. 

DR. D. 

You had better say I am here, in case she may be well 
enough to see me. 

LOUISA. 

What name, sir ? 

DR. D. 

Doctor Downward. (Louisa goes out by the door on the right.) 
So my fair friend persists in retiring to Thorpe- Ambrose ! Have 
I had time to set the necessary scandal afloat before she gets 
there? It's a question of dates — let me look at my pocket-book t 
{He produces his pocket-book, and looks back through it ; then reads). 
" Tenth of the month — a letter with a mourning border, from my 
fair friend. She is coming back to England, and she proposes 
to see me in London, on her way to Thorpe-Ambrose. — Eleventh 
of the month. Sent my fair friend's character down to Thorpe- 
Ambrose before her — in an anonymous letter to Major Milroy. 
Purport of the letter: — Major Milroy has been deceived, and 
Miss Milroy has been cruelly injured, by an abandoned woman. 
The Major supposed — as Miss Milroy supposed — that Miss Gwilt 
left Thorpe-Ambrose to marry Mr. Midwinter. It now appears 
that Miss Gwilt used poor Mr. Midwinter as a blind to hide her 
designs on rich Mr. Armadale. Positive proof of this statement 
enclosed, in the shape of a copy of the marriage certificate, 
showing that 'Lydia Gwilt' was married privately in London 
to 'Allan Armadale.'" (He puts back the pocket-book.) No- 
body at Thorpe- Ambrose knows that there is a second " Allan 
Armadale," and that Midwinter is the man ! The widow's income 
is to be had for the asking. (He looks towards the door on the 
right.) And here comes the woman who must ask for it ! 



MISS GWILT. 67 

(Enter Miss Gwilt from the right, dressed in widow's weeds. The 
rapid changes from one feeling to another which have hitherto 
characterised her have all disappeared. A settled depression 
is expressed in her manner throughout the earlier part of her 
interview with the Doctor.) 

miss G. 
Thank you, Doctor Downward, for coming to see me. 

DR. D. {taking both her hands in his). 
Oh, how sad this is ! My dear, dear lady ! My poor 
afflicted friend ! 

miss g. 
I am not ungrateful for your kindness, but I am beyond the 
reach of sympathy. When women are in distress, you know 
what a relief it is to them to cry. I have not had that relief 
since my husband's death. The tone you are so good as to take 
is useless with me. Sit down. I have something to say to you. 

dr. d. (aside, placing chairs). 
I don't like her language ! I don't like her looks ! 
(They seat themselves.) 
MISS g. 
I wish to consult you as a medical man. Do you detect any 
serious change in me since we met last ? 

dr. d. (assuming his professional manner). 
Turn a little this way, if you please. More towards the light. 
Thank you. (He scrutinises her face closely, feels the pulsation at 
her temples and her wrist, leans back in his chair and considers, 
then speaks again.) Must I tell you the truth ? 

miss g. 
If you please. 

DR. D. 

I detect serious nervous mischief since we met last. Let me 
write you a prescription. 

miss g. 

Not now. Does nervous mischief, if it goes on long enough, 
sometimes end 

DR. D. 

In insanity? Yes. Don't be alarmed. There are reme- 
dies 

miss g. 
I am not alarmed. I have been thinking of the remedy. 

DR. D. 

May I ask what it is ? 

miss g. 
I can only tell you by returning to a subject which we once 
spoke of in England — Captain Manuel. 

e 2 



68 MISS GWILT. 

DR. d. {assuming astonishment). 
What has the Captain to do with the object of this interview ? 

MISS G. 

Manuel revealed to Armadale the disgraceful secret of my 
life. And Armadale — I am certain of it — told my husband what 
Manuel told him. There is the thought that is driving me to 
madness. I have had grief to bear; I have had remorse to 
struggle with. I might have conquered both, but for the convic- 
tion I feel that my husband died knowing I had deceived and 
disgraced him. His spirit and mine are spirits separated in 
other spheres than this. I think of it, and think of it, and it 
always ends in that. 

DR. d. 

Nervous mischief ! nervous mischief ! 

miss G. {not heeding hi?n). 

I am hardened with a dreadful hardness. I am frozen up in 
a changeless despair. I feel the good that there is in me going 
day by day. I feel the evil gaining on me, little by little, with 
slow and stealthy steps. I dread myself ! There is but one hope 
left for me. My husband's love — if he had lived — would have 
made me a good woman. The dear memory of him may soften 
and save me yet. 

DR. D. 

Pardon me ; on your own showing it is the memory of him 
that is doing you harm. 

MISS g. 

I can't reason — I can only feel. Doctor, I am not a bad 
woman. No bad woman could have loved Midwinter as I loved 
him. But there are seeds of evil in all mortal creatures. I am 
left alone with a great despair. A bad end will come of it if 
something is not done to touch my heart. Help me to make the 
best, and not the worst, of my lonely and friendless lot. Tell me 
if a quiet life, among old happy associations, may not help my 
mind back to health. If I could live at Thorpe-Ambrose, 
among the scenes where he first said he loved me, I might get to 
think differently • I might find a refuge from myself. 

DR. D. 

Pardon me if I speak plainly. Wherever else you may take 
refuge, you can't go to Thorpe-Ambrose. 
MISS G. {wearily . 
Why not ? 

DR. D. 

Scandal, my afflicted friend — scandal has spoken against you 
at Thorpe- Ambrose, and has found listeners, as usual. 

MISS G. {rousing herself). 
What do they say of me ? 



MISS GWILT. 69 

DR. D. 

Must I repeat it ? 

miss G. {with sudden firmness). 
I insist on your repeating it. 

{Enter Louisa, with a card in her hand.) 
LOUISA. 

A gentleman, ma'am, who wishes to see you. 

miss G. {reading the eard). 
" Mr. Darch, of Thorpe -Ambrose, on business from Major 
Milroy." (She looks at Dr. D.) We can't be interrupted now. 
Ask Mr. Darch to call again in half an hour. 

dr. d. (to Louisa). 
Ask Mr. Darch to take a seat in the outer room. Your 
mistress will ring for you. (Louisa goes out Dr. D. continues to 
Miss G.) Pardon me for presuming to interfere. I have a 
reason for what I am doing. Are you in correspondence with 
Major Milroy ? 

MISS G. 

I wrote to him a day or two since to ask if a lodging could be 
found for me at Thorpe-Ambrose. 

dr. d. 
Has he answered your letter ? 

MISS G. 

No. 

DR. D. 

Mr. Darch's business here may be to bring you the answer. 

miss G. {with weary impatience). 
Can you expect me to attend to him, when you have just told 
me that my character is slandered, and when I am waiting to 
know how and why ? 

DR. d. 
See Mr. Darch, and you will know how and why from a 
witness on the spot. 

miss G. (starting). 
Do you really mean it ? 

DR. D. 

I really mean it. 

(Miss G. rings. Louisa appears.) 
miss g. 
Show Mr. Darch in. 

(Louisa goes out.) 

DR. D. 

Summon all your courage, my dear lady. You will need it ; 
believe me, you will need it. 



70 MISS GWILT. 

{Enter Mr. Darch, shown in by Louisa, who retires and closes the 

door.) 
MR. darch (to Miss G., with a formal bow). 
You have addressed a letter, madam, to Major Milroy, of 
Thorpe-Ambrose ? 

Miss G. (surprised at his tone). 
Yes. 

MR. DARCH. 

You request the Major to assist you in finding lodgings at 
Thorpe-Ambrose ? 

miss G. (as before). 
Yes. Will you take a seat, Mr. Darch ? 

MR. DARCH. 

I am here in discharge of a painful duty, madam. I must 
beg to decline taking a seat. 

miss g. (to Dr. D.). 
Do you understand this ? 

dr. D. (with an assumption of the deepest pity). 
Only too well, my afflicted friend — only too well ! 

MR. DARCH. - 

I have business in London, madam ; and Major Milroy, 
acting on my suggestion, leaves it to me to answer your letter. 
Speaking as the Major's legal adviser, I have to express my 
surprise at your venturing to write to him, and I am equally at a 
loss to understand why you still persist in assuming the name of 
Midwinter. 

miss G. (indignantly). 

" Assuming the name of Midwinter ? " What do you mean, 
sir? 

MR. darch (continuing impenetrably). 

I refrain, madam, from expressing any opinion of your 
conduct. I merely inform you that you are known in your true 
character at Thorpe- Ambrose. If you persist in showing yourself 
there your presence will be viewed in the light of a public 
outrage. 

dr. d. {with his eyes on Miss Gwilt). 

Oh, what language to use ! What cruel, cruel language to 
crush a woman with ! 

MISS G. 

The woman is not crushed. The woman will pay back ten- 
fold every humiliating word which has fallen from that man's lips. 
(To Mr. Darch.) Of what am I accused, sir? Of what vile lie 
are you the mouthpiece ? 

MR. DARCH. 

You will do well to profit by my warning, madam. I have no 
more to say. (He turns to go.) 



MISS GWILT. 71 

MISS G. 

Stop him, Doctor ! That man has grossly insulted me. He 
shall not leave the room until I know the meaning of it. 

dr. d. (placing himself between Mr. Darch and the door). 
Explain yourself, sir. 

MR. DARCH. 

I will explain myself, Dr. Downward, in the fewest and the 
plainest words. It is known at Thorpe-Ambrose that this lady 
entrapped Mr. Armadale into privately marrying her, and used 
Mr. Midwinter as a means to conceal her proceedings. 

miss G. (outraged and astonished). 
Oh ! ! ! 

•MR. DARCH. 

We all feel sincere sympathy for poor Miss Milroy ; we all 
consider such conduct as I have described the conduct of an 
adventuress. Let me pass, sir. I have no more to say. (He 
turns to go out ; Dr. D. bows, and draws back to let him go.) 

miss g. 
Stop ! I insist on being heard. 

mr. darch (taking out a folded slip of paper). 
It is useless, madam, to waste time and words. There is a 
copy of your marriage certificate ; I have myself verified it at the 
church. (He lays the certificate on tlce table and goes out. ) 

miss g. (to DR. D.). 
Do you expect me to submit to this ? Follow him, and 
bring him back. 

dr. D. (resignedly taking a chair). 
My dear friend, we can't contradict him if we do bring him 
back. (He opens the certificate.) Look ! There it is, in the 
plainest words. " Certificate of the marriage of Allan Armadale 
and Lydia Gwilt." Who will believe that you married Midwinter ? 
Who can doubt that you are Armadale's widow, after such 
evidence as that ? 

miss g. 
I can prove that I married Midwinter. 

DR. D. 

Excuse me, you can do nothing of the kind. There is no 
such name as Midwinter in this certificate, and there is only one 
Mr. Armadale known at Thorpe-Ambrose. The facts are against 
you, my dear lady. You must submit. 

miss g. 
Submit to be treated like the most abandoned woman living ? 
Submit to be defamed and insulted ? Do you hear ? I say they 
have defamed and insulted me. 



7 2 MISS GWILT. 

DR. D. (coolly). 
Quite true. They have defamed and insulted you. 

MISS G. 

The way to be even with them ! Show me the way ! 

DR. D. 

Is it possible you don't see the way ? Be even with them by 
the means which they themselves have put into your hands, 
firing the wretches who have insulted you cringing to your feet ! 
{Rising, and striking his hand energetically on the table.) Stand on 
your marriage certificate. Claim the rank, and claim the income, 
of Armadale's widow. 

miss G. (starting as she realises the idea). 
Oh, the daring deceit ! the splendid wickedness of it ! 

DR. D. 
Deceit ? Wickedness ? I repudiate the words. What did 
you say to me just now ? Armadale told your husband the dis- 
graceful secret of your life. In justice to yourself, seize the com- 
pensation. Claim the rank and claim the income of Armadale's 
widow. (He looks at his watch.) The post goes out in a quarter 
of an hour. There is just time to make your choice. Shall I 
write to Armadale's executors ? Yes or no ? 

miss G. (impetuously). 
Yes ! (She points to the writing materials. Doctor Down- 
ward goes to the side table and writes rapidly, taking the certificate 
with him. Miss Gwilt walks excitedly up and down the room.) Be 
quick, Doctor — be quick ! Don't let me get cool on it ! My 
conscience may make itself heard — my resolution may fail me. 
DR. D. (showing her his letter). 
Here is your claim on the executors, in two sentences, 
backed by a copy of your certificate, and attested by myself, as 
the witness present at the marriage. Ring for the girl, and send 
her to the post. 

Miss G. (ringing). 
What next ? what next ? 

DR. D. 
You shall hear when the servant has gone. (Louisa enters.) 
Hun with this to the post, my good girl, and mind you are in 
time. (Louisa goes out with the letter.) That letter will be 
received to-morrow morning. You shall follow it in person, and 
take possession of the house — escorted by me. Pack up your 
things, Mrs. Armadale ! We will start by the morning train. 
(He leads her to the door on the right. She suddenly stops and 
draws back from him.) What is the matter ? 

miss g. (turning towards the bell). 
Is there time to call Louisa back ? 



MISS GWILT. 73 

DR. D. (astonished). 
Call her back ? What are you thinking of? 

miss G. (sadly). 
I am thinking of my dead husband. He was the soul of 
honour — he abhorred deceit. His spirit may be looking down 
on me at this moment. I wish I had said No ! I wish I had 
said No ! 

DR. D. 

Too late, my dear lady, to wish that. The post-office is in 
the next street, and the letter is in the box by this time. 

miss g. 
My mind misgives me ! I don't like it. 

DR. D. 

Your mind wants occupation — that's all. (He opens the door 
on the right for her). Occupy yourself. Pack up ! 

MISS G. 

I don't like it ! I don't like it ! (She goes out slowly). 
dr. D. (alone). 

Curious ! There is an undergrowth of goodness in that 
woman's nature which is too firmly rooted to be easily pulled up. 
I may have some trouble with her yet. Well, the trouble must 
be faced. The writs are out against me ; the money must be 
had ; and the one way of getting it is the way I have taken. (He 
walks up and down thinking). About the servant here ? The girl 
was with her mistress at Naples, and the lawyers might question 
her. Yes, yes ! I must find Louisa another place. (Enter 
Louisa). Well, were you in time with the letter ? 

LOUISA. 

Yes, sir — with more than five minutes to spare. There is a 
gentleman downstairs, asking if we know your address. 

dr. d. (to himself}. 
Are the bailiffs after me ? 

LOUISA (continuing). 
His name is Milroy, and there is a young lady waiting for him 
in a cab at the door. 

DR. d. 
Major Milroy and his daughter ! (He considers for a moment.) 
Tell the gentleman I happen to be here on a visit, and ask him 
to come upstairs. (Louisa goes out.) The enemy in our camp 1 
In my fair friend's interests I must draw the enemy's teeth, (He 
looks towards the door on the right.) Shall I tell her before he 
comes in ? No. In her present state of mind I can't trust her 
to face the Major. 

(Enter Major Milroy, shown in by Louisa, who closes ike door 
and withdraws.) 



74 MISS GWILT. 

MAJOR M. {stiffly). 
I regret to intrude upon you, Dr. Downward. Family 
circumstances compel me, quite unexpectedly, to make the journey 
to London, and to speak to you on a very painful matter. 

DR. D. 

Sit down, Major Milroy. 

major M. {seating himself). 
You were present at Thorpe-Ambrose, sir, when I discovered 
that my daughter was privately engaged to Mr. Armadale ? 

DR. D. 

Yes. 

MAJOR M. 

You heard what I said on that occasion, and what Mr. Arma- 
dale said ? 

DR. D. 

Certainly. 

MAJOR M. 

You were also present, if I am not misinformed, at the 
marriage of Mr. Armadale and Miss Gwilt ? 

DR. D. 

I was present as the only witness. 

MAJOR M. 

My daughter's infatuated attachment to Mr. Armadale leaves 
me no alternative, sir, but to ask you a very delicate question. 
She positively refuses to believe in Mr. Armadale's marriage. 
Have you any objection to personally assure her that you saw 
him married to Miss Gwilt ? My child's health is suffering, and 
I can do nothing to relieve her. I have shown her a copy of the 
marriage certificate (Miss Milroy softly opens the centre door) t 
and she persists in disbelieving 

miss milroy {advancing). 

I persist still ! (Dr. D. and Major M. both start.) Fifty 

certificates wouldn't persuade me that Allan married Miss Gwilt. 

(Dr. D. looks anxiously towards the door o/*Miss G.'s room. The 

Major speaks to his daughter.) 

MAJOR M. 

Neelie, what are you doing here? You are acting most 
improperly. I told you to wait below in the cab. 

MISS M. 

I beg your pardon, papa. My patience gave way — I couldn't 
endure the suspense any longer. 

MAJOR M. 

Now you are here, listen to what Doctor Downward has to tell 
you. 



MISS GWILT. 75 

Miss M. {whispering to her father). 
I can't listen to him, papa. His face says, " Don't believe 
me." 

major M. {severely). 
Listen. (To Dr. D.) Dr. Downward, you saw Mr. 
Armadale married to Miss Gwilt ? 

DR. D. 

Most assuredly. 

major m. (to Miss M.). 
What do you say now? 

MISS M. 

What I have said all along. Allan is true to me. 

(Dr. D. is struck by the last words, and listens attentively. The 
door of Miss Gwilt' s room opens. She stands on the ihresh- 
hold, unobserved by the persons present.) 

MAJOR M. (to MlSS M.). 

How can you blind yourself in this way to the plainest proof ? 

MISS M. 

How can I do anything else, when I love Allan ? 

dr. D. (interposing). 
" Allan is true to me " ? "I love Allan " ? Major Milroy, 
your daughter speaks as if Mr. Armadale was a living man. 

major m. (amazed). 
Have you not heard the news ? 

(Miss G. slowly advances into the room, still unobserved.) 

dr. D. (withji sudden misgiving of the truth). 
What news ? 

miss m. (discovering Miss Gwilt). 
Papa ! Papa ! (She tries vainly to draw her father's attention 
to Miss G.) 

MAJOR M. 

There is no doubt of it, Dr. Downward. Mr. Armadale is a 
living man. (Miss Gwilt staggers, and catches at the nearest chair 
to support lierself. Dr. D. and the Major discover her.) 

dr. d. (to Miss G.). 
Compose yourself. It's a false report. Go back to your 
room, and leave it to me. 

major m. (looking at Miss G.). 
She here ! Leave us, Neelie. (Miss M. draws bach, but does 
not leave the room.) It is no false report, sir. The news of 
Mr. Armadale's rescue has forced me to follow my lawyer to 
London. I had a letter from Mr. Armadale this morning, asking 
to see my daughter, and writing as if he was still a single man. 



76 MISS GWILT. 

Miss G. {advancing slowly towards Major M., and speaking in low, 

distinct tones.) 
One word, Major Milroy. Mr. Armadale had a friend with 
him. 

miss M. (in a whisper). 
Oh, papa, look at her ! look at her ! 

PR. d. (cautioning the Major, and placing himself near Miss Gwilt). 
Take care what you say, sir ! — take care ! 

major m. (to Dr. D.). 
I don't understand you. After what I have said already why 
should I conceal the rest ? Mr. Midwinter is saved with his 
friend. 

(Miss Gwilt sinks into the Doctor's arms, with a faint cry.) 

dr. d. (aside). 
Damnation ! (He places Miss G. in a chair, and occupies him- 
self in restoring her.) 

Miss M. (whispering). 
Look at him, papa — look ! Doesn't his face tell you 
that he is caught in a lie ? For my sake — if you won't for 
Allan's — let us go to the lawyer and tell him what we have seen ! 
major M. (sharing his daughter's conviction). 
She may be right ! In any case, this is no place for a young 
girl. Come, Neelie ! 

MISS M. 

To the lawyer's ? 

major m. 

To the lawyer's. 

(He goes out with Miss M. Miss G. begins to revive. The Doctor 

looks round him.) 

dr. d. (to Miss G), 

They have lefc us. Shall I raise you in the chair ? 

miss G. (faintly). 
Yes. (Dr. D. raises her in the chair.) Did I hear it ? Did 
I dream it ? Midwinter ? My husband ? 

dr. d. 
Your husband is saved from the wreck — saved to claim you, 
after you have declared yourself to be the widow of his friend ! 
There is but one chance for us — we must stick to our story now. 

MISS G. 

Take me away ! Hide me from him, before he comes back ! 
dr. d. 

Hide you ? My letter will be in the hands of Armadale's 
executors to-morrow morning. If Midwinter finds his way to 
you there is but one alternative — you must deny him to his face ! 



MISS GWILT. 77 

MISS G. 

I shall die at his feet if he only looks at me ! 

DR. D. 

He won't look at you* 

MISS G. 

What do you mean ? 

DR, D. 

What did you tell me yourself? Your husband knows that 
you have deceived and disgraced him. If you acknowledge him 
now (in your own words) you submit to be treated like the most 
abandoned woman living. Thanks to Armadale — remember 
that ! 

miss G. {vacantly, putting her hand to her head). 

Armadale ? My head swims ; my mind fails me 

DR. D 

Rouse yourself! Armadale is living to ruin us both if he is 
publicly confronted with you. (A knock is heard at the door.) 
Hush ! somebody outside. Come to your room ! (He half leads, 
half carries her to the door of her room.) 

Miss G. (in terror). 
Is it my husband ? 

DR. D. 

Go in, and you shall hear. (He opens the door on the right. 
She passes into the room. A second knock is heard at the centre 
door.) 

dr. D. (calling). 

Come in ! (Allan enters hurriedly. The Doctor starts back 
in astonishment) Mr. Armadale ! 

ALLAN. 

How are you, Doctor ? Has Midwinter been here ? 

DR. D. 

I have seen nothing of him. (Assuming his bland manner.) 
My dear sir I accept my sincere congratulations on your rescue 
from the sea. By what miracle did you and your friend escape 
drowning ? 

ALLAN. 

No miracle, Doctor. We escaped, thanks to these clumsy 
shoulders of mine. The scoundrels fastened down the hatch on 
us before they left the yacht. Midwinter couldn't move it. I got 
my shoulders under it, and up it went. We were just in time to 
swim clear of the sinking vessel. 

DR. D. 

Can such things be ? A man looks at the sun, listens to the 
birds, walks over the grass, and then fastens down a hatch on his 
brother man ! Who can fathom the abysses of the human heart ? 



78 MISS GWILT. 

ALLAN. 

There we were in the sea, Doctor, for nearly an hour. The 
storm in which Manuel and his ruffians were drowned in their 
boat was close on us when the ship picked us up. 



DR. D. 

What business had the ship to pick them up ? Excessively 
officious on the part of the ship ! 

allan (continuing). 
We landed at Naples only two days after my friend's wife 
had started for London. We followed her back, and traced her 
to these lodgings. I expected to find Midwinter here. Between 
ourselves, Doctor, I'm afraid there's something wrong about that 
handsome wife of his. 

DR. D. 

You astonish me ! 

ALLAN. 

Captain Manuel had certainly some grudge against Mid- 
winter. The scoundrel slipped a letter under Midwinter's cabin 
door before the yacht sank. From the time my friend read that 
letter he has never once spoken to me about his wife. 

DR. D. 

Bless my soul ! 

ALLAN. 

It's all guess-work, mind. Manuel never ventured to say a 
word about Midwinter or his wife to me, 

dr. d. {aside). 
The deuce he didn't ! If she discovers that, I lose my last 
hold on her. (To Allan.) Are you sure of what you say ? 

ALLAN. 

Quite sure. What can have become of Midwinter ? I wanted 
to see him, and say good-bye. 

DR. D. 

Going away ? 

ALLAN. 

Going to Thorpe-Ambrose by the next train. 

DR. D. 

In a hurry to get home ! 

ALLAN. 

No, no ! In a hurry to see Miss Milroy. 

dr. D. (aside). 
Miss Milroy ? I've got it ! (To Allan, with sudden gravity.) 
Let me save you a useless journey. Miss Milroy is not at Thorpe- 
Ambrose. 



MISS GWILT. 79 

ALLAN. 

Not at Thorpe-Ambrose ? Where is she ? 

DR. D. 

Under my care. 

ALLAN. 
111! 

DR. D. 

A nervous derangement. The newspapers reported you 
drowned, and Miss Milroy saw the report. 

ALLAN. 

My darling Neelie ! Under your care ? Do you mean in 
your house ? 

DR. D. 

In my Sanatorium at Hendon. 

ALLAN. 

Let's go there directly ! 

DR. D. 

Contrary to the rules ! 

ALLAN. 

Don't say that ! Stretch a point for once, Doctor ! 

DR. D. 

If I give way, will you be guided by me ? 

ALLAN. 

Willingly ! What am I to dp ? 

DR. D. 

Take a cab, drive as far as the turnpike on the road to 
Hendon, and wait there till I join you. 

ALLAN. 

How long shall you be ? 

DR. D. 

If you go at once, not ten minutes after you. 

ALLAN. 

Thank you a thousand times ! I won't lose a moment ! 

(He hurries out.) 

dr. D. (alone). 
The trap has caught him. Once in my Sanatorium, Mr. 
Armadale, get out of it if you can ! (He goes to the door on the 
right.) The visitor has gone. I want to speak to you. 

(Miss G. appears at the door.) 

MISS G. 

Who has been here ? 

DR. D. 

Armadale has been here. 



80 MISS GWILT. 

miss G. (to herself, with concentrated energy). 
Oh, if wishing it could only kill that man! {To Dr. D.) 
What have you done with him? 







DR. D. 


I have sent him to 


my 


Sanatorium. 

MISS G. 


What for ? 




DR. D. 


Can't you guess ? 




MISS G. 


Can't you tell me ? 







DR. D. 

I prefer showing you, my fair friend. Have you any particular 
reason for wishing to stay in these lodgings ? 

MISS G. 

Stay here ? My husband may be in London ; he may trace 
me to this house • he may discover me in my widow's weeds. 
Take me away ! Anywhere you like, so long as you hide me 
from my husband's eyes ! 

DR. D. 

Put on your bonnet. (She goes to put on her bonnet ; Dr. D. 
continues, watching her satirically.) Ah ! even under these trying 
circumstances, there's a melancholy pleasure in putting on a new 
bonnet ! Let me assist you with your cloak. Is that right ? 
Very good ! You wish to know what I am going to do with 
Armadale ? (He offers his arm. The centre door is suddenly and 
softly opened. Midwinter appears on the threshold.) Come and 
see ! 

(They turn to go out, and discover Midwinter. Miss G. stands 
horror-struck. Dr. D. draws back from her and takes off his 
hat, bowing to Midwinter, who stands between them, facing his 
wife in her widow's weeds.) 

mid. (with bitter irony). 
Captain Manuel was not to blame, Madam. Captain Manuel 
did his best to drown me. 

(A pause.) 
dr. d. (to Miss G.). 
My child, do you understand this gentleman ? 

miss g. (speaking mechanically). 
No. 

MID. 

My language shall be plainer. (To Miss G.) You are Cap- 
tain Manuel's accomplice. You were Captain Manuel's mistress 
before you married me. (He advances a step nearer to her. Dr. 
D. starts.) You need be under no alarm, Sir. She is safe in my 



MUSS GWILT. 8 I- 

loathing and contempt. (Miss G. lifts her head for the first time, 
stung by the words. Mid. proceeds.) There is one of your old love 
letters ! Further falsehood is hopeless. (He offers her the letter. 
She remains motionless, refusing to take it. Midwinter points to 
Dr. D.) Leave that man, and follow me ! 

{He leads the way to the door. Dr. D. crosses to Miss G., and 
speaks to her aside.) 

DR. D. 

You. have his own word for it — he loathes and despises you. 

mid. (at the door). 
Do you hear me ? 

dr. d. (aside to Miss G.). 
Say what I say. (He prompts her.) You have no right to 
claim any control over me. 

miss G. (mechanically repeating the words, in a sinking voice). 
You have no right to claim any control over me. 

mid. (returning a few steps from the door). 
No right ? Are you, or are you not, my wife ? 

dr. d. (aside to Miss G.). 
One more effort ! 

mid. (repeating the question). 
Are you, or are you not, my wife ? Yes or No ? 
miss G. (her voice sinking to a whisper). 
No ! 
( MrDwiNTER advances on her furiously, with a cry of indignation. 
She shows no fear of him. Doctor Downward springs 
forward to place himself between them. Midwinter instantly 
checks himself, and turns sternly to the Doctor.) 

mid. 
She stands in no need of your protection, sir. I tell you 
again, she is safe in my loathing and contempt. Let her live in 
her infamy ! I leave her for ever. 

(He leaves the room. Doctor Downward looks at Miss Gwilt. 
She has neither moved nor spoken since she has disowned her 
husband. The Doctor cautiously touches her arm, and speaks 
in an under tone.) 

dr. d. 
Remember Armadale ! 
(She rouses herself with a heavy sigh, and slowly looks round at him. 
He gently puts her arm in his, and speaks again in the same 
under tone.) 

dr. d. 
Come to the Sanatorium. 



THE END OF THE FOURTH ACT. 



82 MISS GWILT. 



ACT. V. 

Scene : — The Sanatorium. The stage represents a drawing-room, 
with a door and a window at the bach, and a bedroom on the 
right Jiand. The bedroom is furnished with a bed (without 
curtains)^ a table, and a chair. A candle {made to burn gas) is 
placed on the table. The bedroom is divided from the drawing- 
room by a vertical partition, with a door in it marked in large 
characters, on the drawing-room side, No. 1. On the left hand 
is a similar door, opposite, supposed to lead into another bed- 
room which is not seen, and marked No. 2. On the drawing- 
room side of the door of No. 1, and placed close against the 
partition wall, is a pedestal in imitation marble, with a vase of 
flowers placed on it. The pedestal is hollow; it opens at the top 
on the vase being removed, and is supposed to contain the Doctor's 
vaporising apparatus. 

At the rise of the curtain Dr. Downward and Allan 
are discovered in the drawing-room drinking tea. A moderator 
lamp on the table, also writing materials. Time — night. 

ALLAN. 

Tell me, Doctor, are you quite sure I can't see Miss Milroy ? 

DR. D. 

Miss Milroy has retired for the night. 

ALLAN. 

. Why, it's barely eleven o'clock ! 

DR. D. 

My good sir, eleven is late in this house. Ten is our hour. 
After ten I prescribe silence and sleep in the largest doses. By 
day or night quiet is my grand remedy. All noises die on the 
threshold of my Sanatorium. Find a door banging in this house 
if you can ! Discover barking dogs, crowing cocks, hammering 
workmen, screeching children, here, and I close this establishment 
to-morrow ! 

ALLAN. 

Can I see Miss Milroy in the morning, early ? 

DR. D. 

The earlier the better. We are the children of Nature here. 
When Nature gets up, we get up. We rise with the sun, we sing 



MISS GWILT. 83 

with the birds, we grow with the grass ; and then we go in to 
breakfast. A pastoral breakfast, Mr. Armadale : milk and honey 
— milk and honey ! 

ALLAN. 

A drop of brandy wouldn't hurt that pastoral breakfast of 
yours, Doctor. 

DR. D. 

Brandy? My young friend, alcohol is poison. I belong to 
the Temperance League — I believe in nothing but water ! (Allan 
rises, and takes his hat) You are not going ? 

ALLAN. 

" Early to bed, and early to rise," Doctor ! The instant Miss 
Milroy goes out to-morrow morning I mean to be in your garden 
to meet her. I must get a bed somewhere. Is there an hotel at 
this place ? 

DR. D. 

There is nothing but a public-house. 

ALLAN. 

Can I get a cab to take me back to London ? 

DR. D. 

There isn't such a thing as a cab in the whole village. 

ALLAN. 

A pleasant prospect for me ! I say, Doctor, I wish you would 
let me stop here to-night. 

dr. d. (aside). 
He has come to it at last ! (To Allan.) Contrary to the 
rules, Mr. Armadale. 

ALLAN. 

Relax the rules for once. 

dr. d. (smiling). 
Mr. Armadale, you possess the gift of persuasion. And you 
take advantage of it ! 

ALLAN. 

I won't give any trouble. Leave me here for the night, in this 
comfortable armchair. 

DR. D. 

My dear Sir, I can't leave you to pass the night in a chair ! 
The hospitality of the Sanatorium is not quite as meagre as that. 
(Pointing to the bedroom doors on each side.) There are two empty 
bedrooms at your disposal. Which will you have ? 

ALLAN. 

Which is the nearest to Miss Milroy ? 

DR. D. 

Aha, you rogue ! Well, well — I should have been like you at 

F 2 



84 MISS GWILT. 

your age. {Pointing to No. i.) That is the nearest of the two 
rooms. 

ALLAN. 

Then that is the room for me. {Looking at his watch.) Not 
twelve yet ! I wish I could annihilate the next five hours. Do 
you allow smoking, Doctor ? 

DR. D. 

Smoking ? Tobacco is poison ! I belong to the Anti- 
Tobacco League. 

ALLAN. 

More Leagues ? What is a League, Doctor ? 

DR. D. 

A League is an Association for forcing my ideas down your 
throat. It is the natural offspring of a free country. 

ALLAN. 

Do you think the League would discover me if I went out and 
smoked in the garden ? 

DR. D. 

See what it is to be the slave of a bad habit ! Go into the 
garden, my young friend. You will be physically the worse for 
the tobacco, but you will be morally the better after contemplating 
the stars ! 

ALLAN. 

Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other — eh ? {He takes out 
his cigar case.) I should be perfectly happy now if it wasn't for 
one thing. 

DR. D. 

Any anxiety that I can remove ? 

ALLAN. 

I can't help thinking of poor Midwinter. 

DR. D. 

Do you suppose your absence will alarm him ? 

ALLAN. 

No fear of that. He knows where I am. 

dr. d. {aside). 
The devil he does ! 

allan {choosing a cigar). 
I stopped at the hotel and left a note for him as I went by 
It's an old engagement of mine with Midwinter never to leave him 
without telling him where to find me. He's under a delusion, 
poor fellow, that I shall do something rash one of these days, and 
that he is 'to be the means of saving me. {Putting on his hat.) 
How shall I find my way to the garden? 



MISS GWILT. 85 

DR. D. 

The servant will show you. No noise, mind ! 

ALLAN. 

Oh, no noise ! I'll be as silent as the grave. {Exit,) 

dr. d. (alone). 
11 As silent as the grave " ? You may find, Mr. Armadale, 
that we interpret your metaphor literally in this house ! {He 
takes a turn backwards and forwards thoughtfully^) He's young, 
he's strong : there isn't a lurking morsel of disease about him to 
account for his death. And, to make matters worse, Midwinter 
knows he is here. (Miss Gwilt enters by the drawing-room door. 
The Doctor observes her.) My dear child, how rash ! Armadale 
has just left me ; he might have seen you on the stairs. 

miss G. {calmly). 
He has not seen me. Have you let him go ? 

DR. D. 

Have I taken leave of my senses ? He has gone to smoke in 
the garden. At his own request he stays here for the night. 
(Pointing to it.) He sleeps in that room. 

miss G. {noticing the tea things). 
Has he been drinking tea with you ? 

DR. D. 

Yes. 

miss G. (taking up Allan's empty cup). 
Have you poisoned him ? 

DR. D. 

Poisoned him ? Poison leaves traces, my dear, and coroners' 
inquests sit on people who die mysteriously. Any more 
questions ? 

Miss G. (maintaining the tone of impenetrable composure in which she 
has spoken thus far). 
One more. You have written a letter to Armadale's executors, 
falsely declaring me to be Armadale's widow, and falsely claiming 
the widow's income. Can the law reach you for doing that ? 

DR. D. 

Yes, if Armadale says the word. 

miss G. (suddenly advancing on Dr. D.). 
Armadale dies to-night, or 1 say the word ! 

dr. d. 

You! 

miss g. {beginning to lose her self-control). 
Take your choice ! You smooth-tongued villain, take your 
choice ! 



86 



MISS GWILT. 



dr. d. (drawing bach). 
She has lost her senses! 

MISS G. 

She has found her senses ! She has mastered her master at 
last. There is a danger you never bargained for in trampling 
down to your level a woman like me. She sees you with your 
eyes — she judges you with your cunning: — and she ends in know- 
ing you for what you are ! From first to last I have been a means 
of getting money, moved by your merciless hands. My life has 
been wasted — my heart has been turned to stone — my tongue has 
been taught to lie — I have loved and hoped — I have sinned and 
suffered — to put money in your pocket. Are you to profit by the 
loss of everything that made love noble and life dear to me ? 
And am I to be flung off like the glove that you have worn out? 
I stand here, in the horror of my degradation, with nothing to 
hope and nothing to fear more ; and I tell you to your face, if 
you are to have the widow's income, as true as there is a heaven 
above us you shall earn it first ! 

DR. D. 

One word, before your frenzy carries you farther ! 

MISS G. 

My frenzy ! Who fed my frenzy ? You ! What did you say 
to me before my husband came in? " If you own Midwinter now, 
you submit to be treated by him like the most abandoned woman 
living. Thanks to Armadale — remember that!" Those were 
your own words. 

DR. D. 

Let me speak ! I have seen Armadale since, Believe me, I 
was mistaken, and you were mistaken. 

MISS G. 

Believe you ? He is one incarnate lie from head to foot, 
and he asks me to believe him ! Who divided my husband's 
love with me, when I had a husband ? Armadale ! Who 
suspected my past life, and talked of secrets and mysteries 
before me in my husband's presence ? Armadale ! Who hired 
Manuel, and brought him into the house ? Who took my 
husband away to sea, and told him my miserable secret? 
Armadale ! The rapture of being revenged on him leaps 
through me like fire ! His life ! his life ! Give me Armadale's 
life, and hang me before all London to-morrow ! 

DR. D. 

You will rouse the house ! On my kneqs — on my knees — 
I entreat you to be quiet ! 



MISS GWILT. 87 

miss g. {looking down at hi?n with a burst of triumph). 
Ah ! you know your place at last ! (A knock is heard at the 
door.) 

dr. d. (hastily seating himself). 
Who's there ? 

A VOICE OUTSIDE. 

Francis, sir. 

dr. d. (to Miss G.). 
Compose yourself. It's only the night attendant. (Calling.) 
Come in ! (Francis enters.) What do you want ? 

FRANCIS. 

The head nurse sent me here, sir. The lady in room No. 10 
is worse than ever. It's asthma ; and every breath she draws 
seems likely to be her last. 

DR. D. (impatiently). 
Tell the nurse to medicate the air in the room, and the patient's 
asthma will be relieved. If she has not got the right mixture — 
{he points to the pedestal) — take off the flowers, and see if the bottle 
isn't there. 

(Francis puts the flowers on a side table, lifts the top of the pedestal, 
which opens back with a hinge, takes out a chemical bottle from the 
inside, and shows it to the Doctor. Miss Gwilt watches 
Francis with sudden curiosity from the moment when he lifts the 
cover of the pedestal) 

FRANCIS. 

Right, sir ? 

dr. D. (impatiently). 
Quite right. 

(Francis goes out. Miss Gwilt approaches the mock pedestal and 

looks in. 

miss g. 
Why is your apparatus hidden in this thing ? 

dr. d. (more and more irritably). 
My apparatus is a common earthenware jar. I can't have 
such a thing seen in a drawing-room. The pedestal is orna- 
mental, and I put the jar in the pedestal. 

miss g. 
Why is the pedestal outside the bedroom instead of in ? 

dr. D. (always answering irritably until he discovers the real object 
of Miss G.'s questions). 
What do these idle questions mean ? 

MISS G. 

More than you suppose. Answer me. 



88 MISS GWILT. 

DR. D. 

I have nervous, unreasonable people to deal with. If they 
saw the Vaporizer being charged they might fancy I was suffo- 
cating them. 

MISS G. {thoughtfully). 

Suffocating them ? Go on. 

DR. D. 

Go on? Were we talking of these trifling things when 
Francis came in ? 

MISS G. 

My questions have a motive. {Placing her hand on the pedes- 
tal.) The vapour is made here ? What next ? 

DR. D. 

The vapour, as you call it, is conveyed to the patient inside 
by means of a pipe in the wall. 

MISS G. 

A patient suffering from asthma ? 

DR. D. 

From asthma, from consumption, from other diseases which 
can be reached by the lungs. The relief in some cases, the 
cure in others, is obtained by different ways of medicating the 
air in the room. Are you satisfied now ? 

MISS G. 

I have a last question to ask. You put this Vaporizer to a 
use that cures. Could you put it to a use that kills ? 

DR. d. {starting to his jeet). 
What!!! 

MISS G. 

Could you poison the air in that room ? 

DR. D. {controlling himself). 
Chemistry can poison anything. {Aside, walling away from 
Miss G.). Amazing that I should never have thought of it my- 
self! 

miss G. {standing by the pedestal). 
Dr. Downward ! 

dr. d. {pursuing his reflections). 
My knowledge labours, and sees nothing but the difficulty 
and the risk ; her ignorance guesses, and hits the mark ! 

MISS G. 

Dr. Downward ! (Dr. D. turns to her.) See if Armadale is 
still in the garden. 

(Dr. D. goes to the window, raises it sojtly, and looks out. While he is 



MISS GWILT. 89 

thus occupied Miss G. hurriedly writes a few lines at the side table, 
folds and directs the note. The Doctor returns.) 

DR. D. 

Armadale is walking up and down, smoking his cigar. (Miss 
G. rings the bell at the side of the drawing-room fireplace.) What are 
you ringing for ? 

MISS G. 

I am ringing for Francis. 

DR. D. 

Why? 

MISS G. 

When Francis comes in, one of us must give him an order. 
Either you send him for what chemistry wants to poison the air 
in that room, or / send him with this note to Armadale in the 
garden. (She shows him what she has written. A knock is heard at 
the door) Shall I speak, or will you ? 

dr. D. {resuming his usual smooth manner). 
I wouldn't give you the trouble of speaking for the world ! 
Come in. 

(Francis enters) 

FRANCIS. 

Did you ring, Sir ? 

DR. D. 

Yes. (Gives him a key.) Go into the dispensary, and open 
the third cupboard from the door. You will find a leather bag 
in it, and a small mahogany chest. Bring me the bag and the 
chest, and at the same time let me have a bottle of water* 

(Francis goes out.) 

MRS. G. (lighting her note at the lamp, and throwing it into the fire- 
place). 
You see ? 

DR. D. 

A thousand thanks ! I see ! 

{A momentary pause. Miss G. seats herself with her back to the 
Doctor, and speaks aside.) 

MISS G. 

The silence maddens me ! I must speak — even to him. (To 
Dr. D., without looking at him.) Is it a fine night ? 

dr. D. (answering, without looking at Miss G.). 
There isn't a cloud in the sky anywhere. 

miss G. (looking round impatiently towards the door). 
How long the man is ! 

dr. D. (looking round also). 
Francis is slower than ever to-night. 



90 MISS GWILT. 

MISS G. (to DR. D.). 

You are very quiet here. 

DR. D. 

We are very quiet here. 

MISS G. 

Are they building in the neighbourhood ? 

DR. D. 

Yes, but not within our hearing. 

MISS G. 

In a few years more Hendon will be a suburb of London. 

DR. D. 

I suppose so. 

(Enter Francis with the chest. He is followed by a man servant 
with the bag and the bottle of water, who waits at the door until 
Francis has relieved him of what he car ties. Francis places 
the things on the table.) 

FRANCIS. 

Will that do, sir ? 

DR. D. 

That will do. (Francis goes out. The Doctor addresses 
Miss G.) You insist ? 

miss g. (rising), 
I insist. 

DR. D. 

Be so obliging as to hold something for me. (Taking the bag 
in one hand, he puts the other into the hollow of the pedestal, produces 
a large circular cork with a hole in the centre, and a glass funnel, and 
gives them to Miss G. to hold.) 

DR. D. 

The cork stops the mouth of the jar inside*. The funnel 
receives the liquid to be poured in, without troubling to remove 
the jar. 

(He empties the contents of the bag into the jar. The contents are heard 
to drop, as if many particles of stone were falling on earthenware. 
The Doctor next takes the bottle of water, and empties it into the 
jar. He then replaces the cork and funnel, bowing with scru- 
pulous politeness as he takes them from Miss G.) 

MISS G. 

Is it done ? 

DR. D. 

Not yet. (He unlocks the chest, aud takes out a chemical bottle, 
then produces another bottle oj the size and shape of a double smelling- 
bottle, but larger, f lis it at both ends from the chemical bottle, which he 
locks up again in the chest, and addresses Miss G.) You still insist ? 



MISS GWILT. 91 

MISS G. 

I still insist. 

dr. d. (giving Miss G. the bottlej. 
You see the glass funnel at the mouth of the jar. 

MISS G. 

I see it. 

DR. D. 

You see four divisions marked on the bottle that you have in 
your hand ? 

MISS G. 

Yes. 

DR. D. 

Four separate pourings into the funnel, at intervals of five 
minutes each, and, if Armadale sleeps in that room, Arma- 
dale dies at the fourth pouring. 

MISS G. 

Suddenly ? 

DR. D. 

Slowly. And if the doctors examine him after death, all 
they can discover is that he has died of apoplexy or of con- 
gestion of the lungs. 

MISS G. 

What if he wakes ? 

DR. D. 

If he wakes he sees nothing, he smells nothing, he feels 
nothing but a sense of oppression and a desire to sleep again. 
Are you satisfied ? 

MISS G. 

I am satisfied. 

dr. d. {closing the top of the pedestal, and putting the vase of 
flowers bach on it). 
Retire at once, before Armadale comes in. (Francis enters 
hurriedly.) What do you want ? 

FEANCIS. 

I beg your pardon, Sir. There is a stranger at the garden 
gate. 

(Miss G. starts, and looks at the Da.) 

dr. d. {to Francis). 
Have you let the person in ? 

FRANCIS. 

No, Sir. But Mr. Armadale 

DR. D 

Has Mr. Armadale seen him ? 



92 MISS GWILT. 

FRANCIS. 

Mr. Armadale is talking to him through the rails of the 
gate. 

dr. d. (resignedly). 
Let the gentleman in. 

(Francis goes out.) 

miss G. (in sudden terror). 
My husband ? 

DR. D. 

Your husband. There is no help for it. We must either 
rouse Armadale's suspicion, or open the gate. Run upstairs 
again before they come here. Quick, or your husband will see 
you ! 

miss G. (resolutely). 

One word first. Come what may of my husband surprising 
us, if you hurt a hair of his head 

DR. D. 

What ! Fond of him still ? 

MISS G. 

If you hurt a hair of his head 

DR. D. 

Trust me to run no risks. He shall go out as safely as he 
came in. (He opens the drawing-room door. Miss G. hurries out. 
The Dr. returns to the front.) Where is the way out of it now ? 
If I put Midwinter's safety in peril there's no knowing what his 
wife's frenzy may do. If I leave him to act as he pleases, I 
leave him to snatch Armadale's life out of our hands ! 

(Enter Allan and Midwinter, arm in arm, 

ALLAN. 

Here we are, Doctor \ Midwinter owes you every apology 
for this late visit ; and I owe you a world of thanks for letting 
him in, because he is my friend. 

dr. D. (politely). 
What is the object of Mr. Midwinter's visit % 

mid. 
My object is ]to remove Mr. Armadale instantly from your 
house. 

Allan (aside to Dr. D.). 
Don't notice what he says. Something seems to have upset 
him — he's out of sorts. 

dr. d. (to Midwinter). 
Just as you please, Sir. The decision rests with Mr. Armadale, 



MISS GWILT. 93 

not with me. (He retires, and seats himself at the bach, watching 
Allan and Mid.) 

allan (to Mid.). 
I told you you would find it all right, if you only saw the 
doctor yourself ! 

MID. 

And I told you that the doctor's word was not to be relied on. 

ALLAN. 

Hush ! hush ! he may hear you. 

MID. 

He has lied in telling you Miss Milroy is here. He has some 
underhand motive for getting you into the house. 

ALLAN. 

How can you talk so ! He has received you, just as he received 
me, in the friendliest manner. 

(Enter Francis.) 

francis (to Mid.). ^ 
The cabman wishes to know, Sir, if he is to wait ? 

dr. D. (rising, and coming forward). 
Well, Mr. Armadale, do you go with your friend ? 

ALLAN. 

Go all the way back to London ? and then come all the way 
back here, before six to-morrow ? No, no, doctor ; I am not 
quite so foolish as that ! 

mid. (giving money to Francis). 
There is the cabman's money. He may go. 

(Francis goes out.) 

DR. D. 

Without you ? 

MID. 

Without me. (The Doctor and Allan both start. Mid. 
proceeds with bitter irony.) You are a medical man. Perhaps 
you can tell me if my troubles have affected my mind ? I mean 
to stay here to-night with my friend, and I don't expect you to 
raise the smallest objection to it. Am I labouring under an 
insane delusion, Dr. Downward ? 

DR. D. (with a low bow, making the best of it). 
You are welcome to the Sanatorium, Mr. Midwinter. Stay 
here with your friend by all means. 

(He turns to go out. Allan follows and speaks to him.) 

ALLAN. 

Doctor, I am reallv ashamed 



94 MISS GWILT. 

DR. D. 

Don't mention it ! {He touches his forehead.) Your friend's 
case is worth studying. 

Allan (alarmed). 
You don't mean it ! 

DR. d. 
I do I Excuse me for one moment. I must tell the servant 
that your friend sleeps here. 

{He goes out.) 

MID. 

Allan ! (Allan returns to htm.) Will you consent to put 
my opinion of Dr. Downward and your opinion to a plain test ? 
Where is your bedroom ? 

allan {pointing to No. i). 
There. 

mid. {crossing to the opposite door). 
Is this a bedroom ? 

ALLAN. 

An empty bedroom. I had my choice of that or the other. 

MID. 

An empty bedroom. Now, mark my words ! When Dr. 
Downward comes back, you will find that my room is in another 
part of the house, and you will hear the Doctor make some 
excuse to prevent me from sleeping there. 

(He points to No. 2.) 

ALLAN {aside). 
Oh, dear ! oh, dear ! 

{Enter Dr. D.) 

DR. D. 

Your room will be ready in ten minutes, Mr. Midwinter. 

MID. 

Where do I sleep ? 

DR. D. 

On the other side of the house. 

mid. (to Allan). 
What did I tell you ? 

DR. d. {aside, observing Mid.). 
1 have made a false move ! 

mid. (opening the door of No. 2). 
Why on the other side of the house, when there is an empty 
room here ? 

dr. d. {aside). 
I see ! 



MISS GWILT. 95 

MID. 

You had forgotten this room, I suppose ? 

DR. D. 

Totally ! 

MID. 

I wish to sleep here, opposite my friend. 

dr. D. (with a bow). 
Sleep there by all means ! I have not the shadow of an 
objection to it. 

Allan (ironically to Mid.). 
Still doubtful of the Doctor ? 

mid. {turning away). 
No. Sure of him now ! 

DR. D. 

Can I offer you any refreshment, gentlemen ? No ? I will 
ring for the servant then. (He rings. Francis enters) Light 
the candles, Francis, in No. i and No. 2. (Francis enters 
No. 1, and lights the gas candle on the table. The Doctor 
continues.) Francis will take your instructions, gentlemen, for 
calling you in the morning. 

(Dr. D. retires to the back of the drawing-room. Allan addresses 
Francis as he comes out of the door of No. 1.) 

allan (to Francis). 
Is it your business to call us in the morning ? 

FRANCIS. 

The day attendant calls you, Sir. I write his orders over- 
night on the slate. 

ALLAN (pointing to No. 1). 
This is my room. Write that I am to be called at six to- 
morrow morning. 

francis (writing). 
" Mr. Armadale — room No. 1— to be called at six." (He 
turns to Midwinter.) Any orders, sir ? 

MID. 

No orders. 

(Francis enters the room numbered *' 2." Dr. D. returns to Allan 
and Midwinter. 1 ) 

DR. D. 

Good night, gentlemen. 

ALLAN. 

Good night, Doctor ! 
(He goes into room No. 1. Mm. follows him in , and, after first 
closing the door of communication, carefully examines the room, 



9& MISS GWILT. 

and notices that the key is on the inner side of the door. Allan 
observes him with astonis/wient. As the door closes on iJiem 
Francis comes out of No. 2. TJie Doctor speaks to him.) 

DR. D. 

Wait a little, Francis, before you turn out the lamp in the 
drawing-room. (Francis waits at the back. Dr. D. takes the 
key out of the lock of No. 2, and continues, speaking to himself.) If 
you will sleep opposite your friend, Mr. Midwinter, we must 
keep you within the limits of your own room. {He looks towards 
the door of No. 1.) When is he coming out ? 

allan {watching Midwinter's examination of his room). 
My dear fellow, what does this mean ? 

mid. 
Wait till the morning, and I'll tell you. In the meantime, 
lock your door. 

{He returns to the drawing-room, closing Allan's door. Allan 
seats himself on the side of the bed, and falls into thought. Mid. 
meets the Doctor face to face, looks at him steadily, and 
speaks quietly , as if thinking aloud.) 

MID. 

You were in league with my wife this afternoon, and you 
have entrapped my friend into your house to-night. Is there 
any connection between the outrage you have offered to me and 
the snare you have set for him ? 

DR. D. 



DR. D. 

Do you expect me to answer that question ? 

-\tt-ti 



MID. 

I expect the night to answer it. 

{He goes into his room and closes the door.) 

dr. d. {alone). 
I'll keep you waiting for the answer ! {He approaches the door 
with the key in his hand, and checks himself.) No ! Let me give 
him time to fall asleep first. {He speaks to Francis.) Turn 
down the lamp, Francis ; but be careful not to turn it quite out 
to-night. I may want to come back. 

{He goes out. Francis turns down the lamp. The drawing-room 
is obscured; but the bedroom No. 1 is still lit by the candle. 
Allan remains seated on the side of the bed. Francis, leaving 
the lamp, advances softly to the front, lakes a slip of paper out 
of his waiscoat pocket, and looks hesitatingly at the door of 
No. 2.) 

FRANCIS. 

How had I better give this to Mr. Midwinter ? I'll slip it 
under his door. 



MISS GWILT. 97 

{He pushes the paper under Midwinter's door, and softly leaves 
the drawing-room. After a short pause Midwinter opens the 
door with the paper in his hand, and looks about the empty 
drawing-room.*) 

MID. 

Nobody in the room ! Who can have slipped this under my 
door ? Is it really meant for me ? {He turns the lamp up a little 
higher, and reads by the light of it.) " Sir, — This comes to you 
from an unknown friend. I have been instructed to watch the 
Doctor's house, and I heard what you said to Mr. Armadale at 
the gate. Others are interested in him besides you. Major and 
Miss Milroy are in London, and the young lady has persuaded 

her father to consult his lawyer " {He pauses, and speaks.) 

Proof, if proof was needed, that Miss Milroy is not in 
the house ! {He goes oh reading.) " The upshot of it 
is that we are going to take the Doctor for debt, on 
the chance of fixing him afterwards with a serious offence 
against the law. We have squared Francis, who will let us into 
the house. I have sent a messenger to Major Milroy, to tell 
him you and Mr. Armadale are here. Keep an eye on your 
friend, and wait till we come." It may be hours before they 
come ! and what may not happen in that time ? Has Allan 
taken the common precaution of locking his door? {He puts 
the slip of paper into his breast pocket, advances to the door of No. i, 
and checks himself.) Stop ! Let me look at my own door first. 
{He opens his door, and notices the absence oj the key.) No key ! 
It's plain I am to be locked in. (He pauses to reflect.) Let me 
think ! The Doctor waited, and saw Allan into his room ; 
waited again, and saw me into mine. If I can do nothing else, 
I can baffle the villain's calculations, and I will ! {He crosses, 
and knocks at Allan's door.) Are you in bed ? (Allan rises 
and opens the door.) What, not undressed yet ? 

Allan (smiling). 
I didn't think of it. I can think of nothing but Miss 
Milroy. 

MID. 

Will you humour me for the last time ? Let us change 
rooms. 

ALLAN. 

Why? 

MID. 

I have taken a liking to your room. 

ALLAN. 

Nonsense ! One room is as good as the other. 

MID. 

Very likely. But there is a difference in the beds. 

G 



95 MISS GWILT. 

ALLAN. 

What difference ? 

MID. 

My bed has got curtains, and your bed has none. I can't 
sleep comfortably with curtains round me. 

ALLAN {yielding). 
All right ! Take my bed, you old fidget, and I will take 
yours ! Will thai quiet you ? 

MID. 

That will quiet me, Allan. Good night. 

{They shake hands. Ailan enters No. 2, and closes the door. 

Mid. waits to see him safe into the room, and then locks himself 

into No. 1.) 

mid. {in No. 1). 
Can I do more than I have done? (He listens.) Not a sound 
stirring, indoors or out ! {He seats himself by a little table in the 
room.) Has the day of atonement dawned for me at last ? Is 
Allan's life to he saved to-night, and saved by me ? If I could 
only know how soon the men will be here ! Is there no hint 
to guide me in the warning I read just now ? {He takes out the 
paper, a?id with it another letter in the same pocket. He looks 
through the paper and puts it back with a gesture in the negative; 
then takes up and opens the letter.) Oh, me ! a note from my wife, 
in the first days of our marriage — in the golden time of our 
love ! Who would believe that the woman who wrote these 
charming lines and the woman who has deceived and disgraced 
me are one ? {His left hand closes mechanically on the letter. His 
right hand supports his head as he sits thinking by the table. The 
door of the drawing-room opens, and Francis appears with a candle, 
followed by Miss Gwilt. The ensuing scene, and Miss G's scene 
which follows, must be played in undertones until the moment when 
Miss G. discovers Midwinter.) 

FRANCIS. 

The housemaid will have your room ready for you, ma'am, 
in a quarter of an hour. No. 7, at the end of the corridor. 

MISS G. 

Why can't I have one of these rooms ? 

francis {turning up the lamp a little higher). 

They are occupied by the two gentlemen who came here this 
evening. {Pointing to No. 1.) Mr. Armadale is in that room. 

miss g. {as if doubting Francis). 
Mr. Armadale ? I thought he was on the floor above us. 



MISS GWILT. 99 

FRANCIS. 

I have got it down on the slate, ma'am, by the gentleman's 
own orders. {He shows the slate.) " Mr. Armadale, room No. i, 
to be called at six." 

miss G. {aside). 

Armadale is there ! 

(francis {pointing to No. 2). 
The other gentleman on this side is Mr. Midwinter. (Miss 
G. starts.) If you don't object to waiting here, ma'am, the 
housemaid will come to show you the way to your room. 

Miss G. {with her eyes fixed on the door of No. 2). 
Tell the housemaid I shall not want her. I know the way. 

FRANCIS. 

I wish you good night, ma'am. 

Miss G. {as before). 
Good night. (Francis goes out, taking his candle with him. 
Miss G. approaches nearer to the door of No. 2, and speaks in low, 
suppressed tones.) He is there ! — there, within a few yards of 
me — the husband whose right I have denied, whose love I have 
lost for ever ! {She produces the bottle which the Doctor gave 
her.) Should I rouse some nobler feeling in him than contempt 
if he saw me now, with his friend's life in my hands ? 

( The Doctor enters softly with the key of No. 2. The dialogue 
between them is carried on in whispers.) 

dr. D. {after listening at the door of No. 1). 
All quiet! Not a sound stirring in the room. {He softly 
approaches the door of No. 2.) 

MISS G. {stopping him). 
What are you about ? 

dr. d. 
I'm going to lock him in. 

MISS G. 

No! 

DR. d. 
Why not ? 

MISS G. 

It's an insult to lock him in. He shall suffer insult no more 
from you or me. Go! {She points to the drawing room door, 
then turns aside and removes the vase of flowers from the pedestal. 
While she does this the Doctor listens at the keyhole of No. 2.) 

DR. D. {aside). 
No need of the key — he is asleep. {Rises, and speaks to 
Miss G., who returns to him.) No noise ! Whatever you do, 
mv dear, no noise ! 



*00 MISS GWILT. 

MISS G. 

Leave me ! {Looking at him with contempt.) You are trem- 
bling. 

DR. D. 

Am I ? {He puts his finger on his pulse.) Quicker than usual, 
by Jupiter ! {He goes out.) 

MISS G. {holding up the bottle). 
Four pourings from this and the poisoned air steals in and 
fills the fatal room, {She advances to No. i, and lifts the cover of 
the pedestal.) Die, you who have divided my husband with me ! 
Die, you who have made me the woman I am ! {She drops the 
first pouring into the funnel, then draws an easy chair close to the 
pedestal, seats herself and looks at her ivatch, then fixes her eyes on 
the door of No. 2.) Is he sleeping ? Is he waking ? Is he 
thinking of me ? Oh, the dreadful stillness ! Even the wind 
in the garden is dead to-night. {She rises and pushes her hair 
bach.) Something throbs and burns in my head. My hair — • 
how clinging and heavy my hair is to-night ! {She returns to the 
pedestal after another look at her ivatch.) The minutes are counted 
out — the interval is past ! Will it be easier the second time 
than the first? {She pours again ft om the bottle— pauses, shud- 
dering — then puts the bottle down upon the table.) Two more 
intervals to pass ! 

{A long pause. She remains standing by the table. T/ie candle, 
still alight in room No. 1, begins to grow dim. Midwinter, 
who has hitherto sat motionless, as if sinking into sleep from 
fatigue, now stirs in his chair mechanically.) 

MID. {to himself in low, faint tones). 
How heavy the air is to-night ! {His head sinks on his breast, 
his eyes close. Miss Gwilt looks at her watch, and speaks once 
more.) 

MISS G. 
The minutes stand still — the silence petrifies the restless 
time ! Nothing moves but the chill that creeps over me — 
nothing sounds but the fever throbbing in my head ! 

{The flame of the candle in Midwinter's room sinks lower. 
Midwinter moves again. He notices the waning lights 
half rises, drops back again into the chair, rises again, hold- 
ing by the table; looks ivildly round him, and cries out 
Jaintly.) 

MID. 



Allan 



MISS G. {just hearing the cry). 
Who calls " Allan " ? {She looks at No. 2, then glances back 
again at No. 1.) Armadale is here ! 



MISS GWILT. 10 1 

(Midwinter reaches the door, supports himself against it with one 
hand y and feels with the other for the key. He rallies his failing 
strength, and calls again, " Allan ! " 

MISS G. 
My husband's voice ! God in heaven ! they have changed 
rooms. (She tries to force in the locked door.) Turn the key ! the 
lock! the lock ! (Midwinter, by a last effort, finds the key in 
the loch, turns it, half opens the door, and falls forward insensible 
into his wife's arms. Remaining by the door, she places him in the 
easy chair which stands near the pedestal, and supports his head on 
her bosom. She feels the poisoned air coming from the room.) 

MISS G. 

The poisoned air ! It will kill him in my arms ! (She 
closes the door, looks at Midwinter again, and places her hand on 
his heart.) Dead ? No ! I feel a fluttering at his heart. What 
is this in his hand ? (She opens Midwinter's left hand and finds 
the letter, on which his fingers have remained mechanically closed.) 
My letter ! my letter, written to him in the first days of our 
marriage ! Oh, my husband, was there a little corner in your 
heart still left for me ? How can I be grateful for the love that 
has not quiteTorgotten me, even yet! There is one way, and 
but one ! I can free him from me for ever ! (She stoops over him 
and kisses his forehead.) The last kiss, love ! — a dying woman 
has that privilege, even when she is a wretch like me ! (She 
rests Midwinter's head on the back of the chair, and takes the bottle 
from the table.) The one atonement I can make to him is the 
atonement of my death. (She pours the whole contents of the bottle 
into the funnel, and returns to Midwinter.,) Oh, he lives ! he 
looks at me ! 

mid. (faintly). 

Allan! (Recognising his wife.) You ? you here ? 

MISS g. 
You have saved Armadale, and you have saved him from me. 
Ask no more. (She knocks at the door of No. 2. Midwinter's 
head sinks back again on the chair.) 

ALLAN (speaking within). 
What is it ? 

miss g. (speaking through the door). 
Your friend wants you. (She draws bach.) 

Allan (opening his door). 
Turning f 
Good God 



You ! (Turning from Miss G., and hurrying to Midwinter.) 
1 ! Is he dead ? 



MISS G. 

Faint — only faint. Draw him nearer to the window. Give 
him air. 



102 MISS GWILT. 

(Allan draws the chair back a little, then throws up the window ; 
then turns and speaks to Miss G.) 

ALLAN. 

Where is the Doctor ? 

MISS G. 

Don't trust him ! Rouse the house ! 

{She crosses to the door of No. i, and prepares to open it.) 

Allan (hurrying to the drawing-room door). 
Help ! help ! 

{He goes out. Midwinter, roused by Allan's voice, raises him- 
self feebly in the chair, and sees his wife standing at the 
door of No. i .) 

MID. 

Lydia ! 

MISS G. (with infinite tenderness). 

My name, as he used to speak it ! His last word to me is 
an echo of the old time ! (She returns to him and kneels at his 
feet.) I am not all bad. Forgive me — and forget me ! Fare- 
well for ever ! 

(She enters the room and turns the key in the lock. The next 
moment the poisoned air overpowers her. She staggers, and 
drops on the floor. The candle, reduced to its last point of 
fame, goes out.) 

MID. (trying vainly to rise). 
Lydia ! Lydia ! 

( Voices are heard outside.) 

a man's voice. 
Dr. Downward ! 

THE DOCTOR'S VOICE. 

Who wants me ? 

THE MAN'S VOICE. 

You are my prisoner. 

Allan's voice. 
Neelie ! 

miss milroy's voice. 
Allan ! Allan ! 

(Miss Milroy and Allan appear together at the drawing-room 
door. They hasten to Midwinter. As Allan bends over 
him and takes his hand the curtain falls.) 



THE END. 

1 ft$ i$1 97 Ranken & Co., Printers, Drury Court, St. Mary-le-Str and, London, W.C. 



